The ‘Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools’ (DEIS) programme was launched in 2005 to address educational disadvantage. The national objective is to focus on addressing and prioritising the educational needs of children and young people, aged 3 – 18 years, from disadvantaged communities.

Benefits of DEIS status include:

• Access to the Home School Community Liaison scheme and the School Completion Programme for DEIS Primary Schools in the categories, Primary Urban Bands 1 & 2, and for DEIS Post-Primary Schools.
• Eligibility of Primary Urban Band 1 Primary Schools to retain and appoint staff to maintain a favourable Pupil-Teacher ratio.
• Grants towards school initiatives to address educational disadvantage.
• Access to planning supports and professional development supports.