Norma Foley focused 'at the minute' on expanding Deis programme

Education Minister Norma Foley said: 'I’m very conscious that every school has its own needs and different needs and no two schools are the same.'  File picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Education Minister Norma Foley has not ruled out the possibility that some disadvantaged schools could lose their extra support down the line if they do not fit new criteria. However, the immediate focus of the Department of Education will be on expanding supports for schools serving high numbers of students at risk of educational disadvantage. 

Budget 2022 includes an €18m expansion of the Deis scheme for disadvantaged schools, which is expected to rise to €32m the following year. This is the largest increase in funding to the Deis programme since its inception in 2005, allowing it to focus on the most disadvantaged students, according to Ms Foley.