John V. Farrelly
Question:23 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the details of the disadvantaged areas schemes for secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.
John V. Farrelly
Question:65 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education the reason the application of a disadvantaged school (details supplied) in County Meath was refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 65 together.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 228 on 22 October 1991 in this regard in regard to the selection of the schools.
In accordance with the terms of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, 60 additional teaching posts were allocated to post-primary schools in disadvantaged areas this year. Sixty such posts had also been allocated in 1990-91.
The allocation of posts was done on the basis of criteria agreed by representatives of management, unions, parents and my Department. Factors taken into account included the number of first year pupils within a school (i) whose parents are in receipt of either unemployment assistance or benefit, (ii) living in rented local authority housing or nonpermanent accommodation, (iii) from deprived rural backgrounds, (iv) whose parents hold medical cards, (v) living with lone parents, (vi) who would be unable to cope with everyday demands if they were to leave school now.
Schools were ranked in order of merit on the basis of the agreed criteria and the available posts were allocated to schools accordingly.
The school referred to by the Deputy did not rank on the list under the above agreed criteria.