asked the Minister for Education the criteria that are used in the allocation of funds under the special fund for disadvantaged areas and the allocations that have been made to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disadvantaged Areas Funding Criteria.
1.
The allocation made available to me by the Government in 1984 in respect of areas of educational disadvantage affords me the opportunity to take various initiatives in certain sectors of perceived need. These include handicapped pupils, children of travellers and pupils in disadvantaged urban areas in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. In all cases, my aim is to ensure that the standard of educational facilities available for the children concerned is brought into consistency with generally accepted norms and that the curriculum can be appropriately interpreted and implemented in accordance with their requirements.
Approximately £30,000 has been allocated from the fund to date.
It seems that one of the main problems of schools in disadvantaged areas is that the local communities are unable to supplement the capitation grants given by the Department and they inevitably accumulate debts. There are some areas in Dublin's inner city where primary schools——
I appeal to Deputies to refrain from making speeches on supplementary questions.
Will the Minister indicate if any of the funds will be allocated to allow these schools offset their accumulated debts?
One of the criteria for the allocation of available resources will be those areas where boards of management find it most difficult to raise the appropriate contributions.
I am specifically concerned about the very substantial debts that a number of schools in disadvantaged areas have accumulated. I am trying to find out if the Minister will help such schools by way of financial assistance.
It is an area where we will give some assistance but the extent will depend on the resources.
Will the Minister define the special fund referred to? How broad a span does it cover in terms of help and assistance for disadvantaged areas?
That is a different question. We seem to be having a mini debate on practically every question.
Arising from the Minister's reply——
The question relates to criteria.
Has the criteria which formally pertained in the Department been changed?
That is a separate question but I will give some specifics on the present criteria. The available resources will be concentrated in areas where boards of management find it most difficult to raise appropriate local contributions, where unemployment is highest and where, generally speaking, the links between community and schools are weakest. That is as far as I can go.
Does it include the provision of additional remedial teachers in the 1984-1985 school year in those areas?
The question of remedial teachers is a separate issue.
It does not come under that fund?
No.