Minister Joe McHugh and Pat the Cope Gallagher have clashed after the DEIS programme was rolled out to schools across Ireland to tackle educational disadvantage.
A number of new schools from Donegal are included in the programme for the first time.
In fact, more than a quarter of all new schools on the list are in Donegal.
However, Pat the Cope Gallagher said that while he welcomed the overall announcement, he is not satisfied that a number of Donegal schools have been omitted.
Junior Minister Joe McHugh said “We are delivering on our commitment to education in County Donegal. More than 20pc of schools nationally which are being given extra funding are here in the county.
“The inclusion of new schools in County Donegal in this programme recognises the need for more resources and more funding to be given so that every child is given the same opportunity. I am grateful to Minister Bruton for involving 22 new schools in rural and urban areas in this new programme in Donegal.
“From spending years on the ground in the county, I know the great work carried out in all of our schools. The way teachers adapt using creative methods to prepare our children for the future is incredible and I want to pay tribute to them for their work.”
The DEIS programme includes funding for school meals programme, school community liaison, increased DEIS grants for schools, planning supports for school, school books grant scheme as well as literacy and numeracy supports within the school to mention a few of the additional supports and benefits for the schools awarded the status.
Deputy Gallagher welcomed the inclusion of additional Donegal Schools in the programme, this follows extensive lobbying on the part of various school authorities, their Boards of Managements but he said it is difficult to understand why certain schools are left off today’s approval list.
Among the schools which wwill benefit from the DEIS programme in Donegal are – Edeninfagh NS, Fintown NS, Gleneely NS, Glassan NS, Castlefin 1B NS, Killygordon NS, Robertson NS Ballintra, Scoil Mhuire Fanad, Ballylast NS, Bruckless NS, Donaghmore NS, St Bridgets NS Convoy and Pobal Scoil Chloich Cheannfhaola. Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal Lifford moving from Band 1 to Band 2.
However, Deputy Gallagher added many other schools within the county are struggling to cope especially with the reduced Capitation Grant rates, which have been reduced in successive budgets between 2011 and 2015.
“It is now necessary that Capitation funding levels be restored in order to assist the running of schools and reduce the burden on parents who otherwise have to make up the funding shortfall.
“I am shocked that DEIS status was not given to Ranafast NS, or to Gortahork NS both schools which clearly fulfil the DEIS requirements but were not approved by the Minister in this afternoon’s announcement.
“I have to furthermore question the logic of the Department in not allowing an appeals mechanism to the decisions reached on DEIS status especially for those schools which failed to qualify. In not allowing an appeals system schools have no recourse to being omitted from DEIS,” he said.
He added the DEIS programme has a proven record at directly assisting schools in disadvantaged areas, and as such will greatly assist the schools which benefit from its status being announced today.
“But more needs to be done for the Primary Education sector and today’s announcement should have been a good news story for all schools within Donegal but by omitting certain schools we have created a two tier primary education sector within adjoining communities.
“The Minister for Education needs to act immediately to avoid a situation within rural communities that by granting DEIS to certain schools while not to others that he does not create a situation whereby pupils will start moving from one school to another.
“It will be essential in the years ahead that school budgets are increased and that we as a country better plan for our Education sector and increase funding and staffing of our schools. I am calling on the Minister to review the failure by his Department to designate certain schools within Donegal in DEIS, I will be raising this matter directly with the Minister,” concluded Pat the Cope.
New DEIS Schools
01574H
Urban
Scoil Naomh Iósaf
Ballymagan
Buncrana
Co Donegal
10595Q
Urban
Kilbarron N S
Kilbarron
Ballyshannon
Co. Donegal
18076J
Urban
S N Muire Gan Smál
Townparks
Lifford
Co Donegal
Donegal
17945G
Urban
Scoil Naomh Chaitriona
Ballyshannon
Co Donegal
17122I
Rural
S N Eadan Fhionnfhaoich
Na Gleannta,
Co Dhun na nGall
Donegal
19260H
Rural
S N Cholmcille
Baile na Finne,
Co Dhun na nGall
Donegal
18172F
Rural
Gleneely N S
Killygordan,
Co. Donegal
Donegal
16611S
Rural
Glentogher Con N S
Carndonagh,
Co. Donegal
Donegal
17180W
Rural
S N Na gCluainte
Clonmany,
Co. Donegal
Donegal
16108J
Rural
Scoil Naomh Treasa C
Tiernasligo
Clonmany
Lifford
Co. Donegal
Donegal
16763S
Rural
S N Glasain
Craosloch
Leitirceanainn
Co Dhún na nGall
Donegal
14910S
Rural
Castlefin 1 B N S
Castlefin,
Co. Donegal
Donegal
18874O
Rural
Killygordon N S
Killygordon
Lifford,
Co. Donegal
Donegal
01572D
Rural
S N Naomh Padraig
Drumfries PO
Clonmany,
Co. Donegal
Donegal
13872I
Rural
Robertson N S
Ballintra,
Co. Donegal
Donegal
18120J
Rural
Scoil Mhuire
Fánaid
Co. Donegal
Donegal
17956L
Rural
Scoil Cholmcille Naofa
Ballylast
Castlefin,
Co. Donegal
Donegal
16664Q
Rural
Bruckless N S
Bruckless
Co. Donegal
Donegal
17241Q
Rural
S N Domhnach Mór
Castlefin,
Lifford,
Co. Donegal
Donegal
18737E
Rural
Scoil Bhride
Conmhagh
Lifford,
Co Donegal
16642G
Rural
St Francis’ National School
Clonmaney
Lifford,
Co. Donegal
