asked the Minister for Education whether she will introduce a pilot scheme in disadvantaged urban areas which would allow teachers to work, in whole or in part, in the community with people who at present do not attend school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Education in Disadvantaged Areas.
236.
There are no proposals at present to introduce a pilot scheme in disadvantaged areas which would allow teachers to work in the community with young people who at present do not attend school. However, a number of other initiatives have been taken in recent years to alleviate the problem of educationally disadvantaged children in socially deprived areas. These have included the establishment of youth encounter projects and the promotion of a programme of special educational measures for schools in disadvantaged areas.
The youth encounter projects provide educational facilities for young people who have become alienated from the conventional school system and have become, or are in danger of becoming, involved in delinquency. There are two such projects in Dublin and one each in Cork and Limerick.
The programme of special measures for schools in disadvantaged areas was initiated in 1984 and since then a total of 155 schools, catering for approximately 50,000 pupils have been assisted. The measures from which the schools benefit include special grants for books and equipment; the sponsorship of home-school-community liaison initiatives and special in-service training for the teachers in the schools concerned.
Specific provision is also made in the teaching staff allocations to a number of vocational education committees for servicing training centres for itinerants in the 12-15 years old age group.