asked the Minister for Education if she will list all the schools that received assistance in 1984 from the disadvantaged schools scheme; and the amount given in each case.
73.
Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Schools Scheme.
72.
asked the Minister for Education if she will list all the schools that will receive assistance in 1985 from the disadvantaged schools scheme; and the amount in each case.
75.
asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the criteria used to select schools for funding under the disadvantaged schools scheme.
76.
asked the Minister for Education if she will give details of the assistance for home school liaison under the disadvantaged schools scheme.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 73, 75 and 76 together.
The information sought by the Deputy regarding the schools which received special assistance through the programme of special educational measures for disadvantaged urban areas in 1984 is given in the following tabular statement.
With regard to schools to which it would be proposed to offer assistance in 1985, the position is that it is not yet possible to supply a list of the schools, since the necessary authority for the expenditure involved has not yet been received.
Regarding the criteria used to select schools for participation in the programme of special educational measures, the following were among the various factors taken into account:
(a) pupil/teacher ratios which seriously hamper effective schooling;
(b) poor environment (building, playspace etc.);
(c) unemployment in the area and vandalism;
(d) poor attendance record of pupils;
(e) lack of community support.
The financial assistance provided in respect of approved home/school/ community liaison programmes in 1984 amounted to £49,094. The grant was paid to 31 schools from which acceptable programmes were received.
Programme of special measures for disadvantaged urban areas, 1984.
|
List of Schools |
Grants Paid |
|
|
Name and Address of School |
Books/Materials |
Home/School/ Community Liaison |
|
£ |
£ |
|
|
North Dublin (City/County) |
||
|
St. Laurence O'Toole's C.B.S., Seville Place. |
1,450.00 |
1,320.00 |
|
St. John Vianney B.N.S., Bonnybrook, Dublin 5. |
3,440.00 |
1,435.00 |
|
St. Maria Goretti G.N.S., Bonnybrook, Dublin 5. |
3,340.00 |
1,410.00 |
|
Bantiarna gan Smal (Sins.) (+Sois.)Senior |
7,380.00 |
3,760.00 |
|
(Our Lady Immaculate/Senior & Junior, |
||
|
Darndale, Dublin 5.Junior |
7,770.00 |
3,765.00 |
|
St. Gabrial's Girls' N.S., Cowper Street, Dublin 7. |
2,561.00 |
695.00 |
|
St. Gabriel's B.N.S., Aughrim Street, Dublin 7. |
2,693.00 |
735.00 |
|
Virgin Mary B.N.S., Ballymun, Dublin 9. |
5,700.00 |
2,615.00 |
|
Virgin Mary G.N.S., Ballymun, Dublin 9. |
5,380.00 |
2,630.00 |
|
St. Kevin's B.N.S., Finglas, Dublin 11. |
4,997.00 |
678.00 |
|
South Dublin (City/County) |
||
|
Ringsend B.N.S., Ringsend, Dublin 4. |
1,910.00 |
No programme submitted. |
|
Ringsend G.N.S., Ringsend, Dublin 4. |
2,270.00 |
1,025.00 |
|
St. Teresa's B.N.S., Donore Avenue, Dublin 12. |
3,334.00 |
830.00 |
|
St. Michael's C.B.S., Inchicore, Dublin 8. |
3,577.00 |
865.00 |
|
St. Thomas' Junior National School, Jobstown, Tallaght. |
6,000.00 |
3,420.00 |
|
S.N. Chnoc Mhuire (Sins.), Knockmore, Tallaght. |
6,410.00 |
2,660.00 |
|
Queen of Angels I National School, Upr, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. |
1,980.00 |
830.00 |
|
Queen of Angels 2 National School, Upr, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. |
1,970.00 |
1,040.00 |
|
St. Joseph's Convent N.S., Weavers Square, Cork Street, Dublin 8. |
2,533.00 |
635.00 |
|
Rialto B.N.S., Rialto, Dublin 8. |
1,301.00 |
No programme submitted. |
|
CorkN. Proinsias, North Main Street. |
667.00 |
544.00 |
|
Blackpool (Boys) |
1,047.00 |
709.50 |
|
Blackpool (Girls) |
736.00 |
561.00 |
|
Ard Eaglais (Cathedral N.S.) |
2,478.00 |
660.00 |
|
Cnoc na hAoine (Knocknaheeny) |
6,860.00 |
4,110.00 |
|
Pairc na Cille (Churchfield) |
3,320.00 |
1,615.00 |
|
An Gleann (B) (Glen Boys' N.S.) |
2,760.00 |
1,190.00 |
|
An Gleann (C) (Glen Girls' N.S.) |
2,450.00 |
1,125.00 |
|
Limerick |
||
|
S.N. Cnoc Theas (Southill N.S.) |
4,390.00 |
2,065.00 |
|
S.N. Naomh Seanan (B) (St. Senan's Boy's N.S.) Island Road. |
3,496.00 |
870.00 |
|
S.N. Naomh Muire (Nai.B), Bishop Street. |
2,765.00 |
725.00 |
|
S.N. Naomh Muire (C), Bishop Street. |
4,300.00 |
2,080.00 |
|
S.N.Muire Lourdes, Rosbrien. |
2,660.00 |
1,220.00 |
|
S.N. Naomh Eoin (B), Killalee Garryowen. |
1,583.00 |
1,270.50 |
|
Totals |
116,508.00 |
49,093.50 |
74.
asked the Minister for Education if she considers that the north inner city area of Dublin is a disadvantaged area; if she will list the schools there which she considers to be disadvantaged; and if she will outline the special assistance she will make available to those schools.
As the Deputy will be aware, my particular concern is with areas of educational disadvantage or disadvantage leading to impaired progress by children in the matter of education. In relation to the Programme of Special Educational Measures for Disadvantaged Areas, which was initiated in 1984, my approach has been to concentrate on particular problems of educational disadvantage rather than on geographical areas where varying degrees of educational disadvantage are to be found.
In recent years 32 additional teaching posts were sanctioned in 22 national schools which are situated in that part of Dublin which could be regarded as Dublin north inner city. These posts were sanctioned as a means of countering particular problems of local disadvantage. In addition three schools received assistance through the Programme of Special Educational Measures for Disadvantaged Urban Areas in 1984. The measures from which these schools have benefited include the following:
(i) special inservice training courses for teachers;
(ii) grants for books and materials;
(iii) grants for initiatives in home/ school/community liaison.
It is hoped to assist some further schools in this area through similar special measures in 1985.
77.
asked the Minister for Education if she considers that the small schools with declining numbers located in disadvantaged areas are adequately catered for under the existing capitation grant scheme or if she considers that this scheme favours the larger schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
78.
asked the Minister for Education if she will consider the provision of a special grant to all small disadvantaged schools that cannot raise sufficient funds locally due to the poverty of the community that they serve, to enable the management to properly maintain and administer their schools.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 78 together.
I would refer the Deputy to paragraph 3.1 of the Programme for Action in Education which reads as follows:
A major issue seen by managers, parents and teachers is the inadequacy of funding for National Schools. The difficult financial position of the Boards of Management is recognised by the Minister. The funding of National Schools will be a major priority of the Minister and the Government in the allocation of the resources available for education. In addition, special funding should be directed to disadvantaged areas. The question will be addressed as to whether a system of financing based totally on enrolments can deal with the special circumstances arising in individual schools, notably schools which are developing or showing a decline in enrolment.
While this general matter is still under consideration in my Department, additional funds have been made available to the patrons of schools which have been designated as serving certain disadvantaged areas in Dublin, Limerick and Cork.
79.
asked the Minister for Education if she recognises the special need for remedial teachers in schools in the north inner city of Dublin; and if she will favourably consider requests from these schools for remedial teachers.
I am aware that schools in various parts of Dublin city and in the country generally, including the area referred to by the Deputy, have special needs.
The special needs of all schools, currently seeking additional posts for remedial teachers, will be considered in the context of their priority of need. In the area referred to in the question, remedial teaching posts have been allocated in the past and, in addition, extra teaching posts have been granted on the grounds of disadvantage under the "Inner City Scheme". The latter posts can, at the discretion of the school authorities, be used for remedial purposes.