Principals call for extra resources in DEIS areas

PRINCIPALS called for extra resources to be allocated to schools in the country’s most disadvantaged areas, by implementing the “DEIS+” programme.

Last week, principals from West Tallaght, Ballymun and Darndale attended a briefing in the Dáil hosted by Dublin South-West TD Paul Murphy (PBP).

They requested for their schools to be categorised as “DEIS+” by sharing data and first-hand experiences, trying to pass on the idea that “the greatest level of need should get the greatest level of support.”

In Spring 2024, a survey of 17 of the schools involved found that nearly half (48pc) of students had experienced a serious direct trauma such as homelessness, abuse, bereavement, suicide, crime, violence or addiction.

According to Principal at Cnoc Mhuire SNS in Killinarden, Orla Hanahoe, 54pc of children in these schools have special educational needs compared to 14pc in non DEIS schools.

Principal at Tallaght CNS, Conor McCarthy, explained the extra resources allocated would fund a multi-disciplinary approach involving Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Counsellors and Psychologists besides enhanced teaching staff, and “room space for trauma informed practice.”

Over 1000 schools in socio-economically disadvantaged areas benefit from the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) programme.

Based on the level and type of support they need, DEIS Band 1, DEIS Band 2, and Rural DEIS schools are identified.

The need of an additional band has been raised in the Dáil several times before.

The principals’ frustration grew further when the long-awaited OECD review on educational disadvantage published in July 2024 didn’t “reflect daily reality” and only gave “unimaginative and vague” recommendations.

According to them, the Department of Education would often refer to the upcoming review in response to their requests, but the reviewers ended up “heavily relying” on information provided by the Department and didn’t “meaningfully engage” on the ground.

“Our schools are made by children living with a single parent, with parents who have to act as carers for other members of the families, or need care themselves,” Principal McCarthy told The Echo.

“The schools are doing a lot of work to support families, but the state is being neglectful in not providing the adequate resources.”

After the Dáil briefing, he is “hopeful” that all political parties will include the creation of a DEIS+ scheme in their manifestos for the next general elections.