Dublin West TD and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, welcomed new staffing measures for DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) primary schools and an appeals mechanism for small primary schools.

Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn TD earlier briefed Cabinet colleagues on the impact of budgetary measures on DEIS Band 1 and 2 schools.

He also announced a new appeals mechanism for small schools that are projecting increased enrolments in September.

The Government has now agreed to retain a total of 235 posts, on a concessionary basis, in DEIS Band 1 and DEIS Band 2 schools.

The aim of the DEIS action plan is to ensure that the educational needs of children and young people from disadvantaged communities are met. At its core is a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage, and an integrated School Support Programme (SSP) to bring together and build upon existing interventions for schools.

The full report on DEIS schools is also available on the Department’s website at www.education.ie