Vol. 432 No. 1
16 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Education the progress which has been made towards the realisation of the Programme for a Partnership Government 1993-1997 commitment to a nationwide home-school liaison service; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
21 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education the number of official home-school liaison programmes currently being operated in primary schools; the number of specialist staff employed in such work; if she will introduce a nationwide home-school liaison programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
35 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education the number of official home-school liaison programmes currently being operated in primary schools; the number of specialist staff employed in such work; if she will introduce a nationwide home-school liaison programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
53 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education the number of official home-school liaison programmes currently being operated in primary schools; the number of specialist staff employed in such work; if she will introduce a nationwide home-school liaison programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
75 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Education the progress which has been made towards the realisation of the Programme for a Partnership Government 1993-1997 commitment to a nationwide home-school liaison service; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
110 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Education the number of official home-school liaison programmes currently being operated in primary schools; the number of specialist staff employed in such work; if she will introduce a nationwide home-school liaison programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 21, 35, 53, 75, and 110 together.
There are currently 79 primary and 26 post primary schools in the scheme, with the services of 71 locally based co-ordinators working under the direction of a National Co-ordinator. Each co-ordinator is responsible for an area and acts in support of local schools in establishing contact with parents, encouraging parents to become involved in their children's education, organising locally based activities which contribute to closer contact between parents and teachers and establishing links with pre-school and other voluntary and statutory groups in the area. The scheme currently caters for a total of around 40,000 pupils.
A representative National Steering Committee advises on the overall direction and focus of the scheme. The scheme is also being evaluated on an ongoing basis by the Educational Research Centre, of St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra.
Early indications are that the scheme represents a valuable enhancement of educational provision for disadvantaged young people and fits well with thinking and stratagies in this area in other countries.
The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to developing a nationwide Home/School liaison service.
