We are over time.

We are way over time given the number of speakers who contributed. We are moving to other questions but one Deputy inadvertently missed his priority question so, with the permission of the House, I am prepared to let him back in because it was inadvertent. I am saying that in case he is listening. The next question is No. 7 and I am going back to strict times now. The Deputy is not present so I will go through the list. I call Deputy Devlin.

The next questioner is not present, we will move on to Deputy Barry.

I ask the Minister to comply with the rules on time so we can get as many Deputies in as we can.

We are over time.

I thank the Minister. We are moving on to the next question.

My question relates to the DEIS model. This is a specific question to the Minister regarding an update on the status of the review that has been going on, where it is at, when it will be completed and when the DEIS scheme will be open to new applicants.

Several years ago, the former Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, along with all of the Deputies representing Galway West, had a meeting in a school that is really suffering as a result of its failure to be recognised as a DEIS school That is what spurred me on to keep asking questions, as other Deputies have done in the Dáil. The DEIS programme is a very good scheme but, as it stands, it excludes schools that we all think should be in it. Clearly there have to be objective criteria but in the case of…

I appreciate the Minister outlining the extra supports for schools, but the question is not about that. The question is about the DEIS programme. For as long as the DEIS programme has been in place, schools have been excluded from it by very strict criteria that are difficult to understand by principals, teachers and politicians. I accept there have to be objective criteria, but it is those criteria that we drew to the attention of the former Minister some years ago. By any stretch of the imagination, it was very d…

Before I ask the Minister to respond, I notice that Deputy Kerrane wishes to contribute.

I call Deputy Ó Laoghaire now.

Thank you, Tánaiste.

Deputy Doherty-----

Deputy Doherty, you had four minutes to put a question and a further minute to put a question.

The Tánaiste-----

The two gentlemen are acting in a most ungentlemanly fashion. Would you please have a little respect for the Leas-Cheann Comhairle? If you are going to use my name, would you please listen to the response? We are going to stick to the times. Unfortunately, I am going to be focused on you, a Theachta Kelly, for your three minutes. Perhaps you could stick to the three minutes.

I have used it all up.

Thank you, Deputy.

Deputy, we are out of time.

Rather than me interrupting each time, I ask Deputies to stick to the time, please.