Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 30 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 7

Written Answers. - Mallow (Cork) School.

Frank Crowley

Question:

153 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Education the reason Boherbue primary school, Mallow, County Cork, has not been designated as disadvantaged in view of the fact that Boherbue comprehensive school is so designated; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I am aware that the school in question has applied for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas scheme.

Schools are selected for inclusion in this scheme on the basis of priority of need as reflected by a range of socioeconomic indicators. Factors taken into account include the incidence of unemployment, local authority housing and medical card holders among the parents of the children concerned. Account is also taken of the views of my Department's inspectorate on the relative levels of need between schools and the prevailing pupil-teacher ratio.

Data under each of the above headings is collected from applicant schools and, having regard to available resources, schools are then selected for inclusion in the scheme.

A total of 55 primary schools have been added to the disadvantaged areas scheme for the coming school year. I regret that the school referred to by the Deputy did not rate high enough on the priority list among primary schools seeking disadvantaged status to warrant its inclusion in the scheme on this occasion.