Fianna Fáil TD Paul McAuliffe has today welcomed news that the Department of Education will publish a new long-term DEIS Plan before the end of the year—alongside the development of a DEIS Plus scheme that he has long championed.
The new DEIS Plan, set to be published by the end of 2025, will deliver a fresh and strategic vision to combat educational disadvantage across all schools. A key feature will be the proposed DEIS Plus scheme, designed to support schools experiencing the very highest levels of concentrated disadvantage.
Deputy McAuliffe said, “This is a vital step forward for students, families, and communities that have been disproportionately affected by educational disadvantage. I fought for the inclusion of a DEIS Plus scheme in the Programme for Government, and I’m proud to see this vision begin to take shape.”
The DEIS Plus scheme, currently being developed and costed for consideration in Budget 2026, will provide an enhanced package of resources to schools most acutely affected by disadvantage. It will look at potential alignment and efficiencies that could be developed with existing resources in areas of high deprivation and help tackle the impact of the acute educational disadvantage experienced by children and young people from those areas.
“We know the cost of intergenerational disadvantage is enormous. Doing nothing is not an option. The new DEIS Plan and DEIS Plus scheme represent a smart investment in our young people and our future,” Deputy McAuliffe said.
“Every child, regardless of their postcode, deserves the opportunity to thrive in school and beyond. The DEIS Plus scheme is about targeting help where it’s needed most and ensuring no student is left behind.”
-ENDS-