Eamon Gilmore
Question:152 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education the criteria to be used for the selection and identification of and support for crisis schools within the disadvantaged schemes. [1288/94]
Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Area Schools.
The measure to which the Deputy refers was first introduced in 1993 as a special initiative to alleviate the difficulties of certain schools in disadvantaged areas which were encountering serious current financial difficulty. Under an arrangement agreed between my Department, the INTO and school management authorities, the latter are invited to make application for once-off grant support on behalf of selected schools which have been identified as having serious financial difficulties. In each case, confirmation is required regarding the declared level of debt.
Applications are vetted by my Department and available funding is apportioned across successful applicants on the basis of a standard percentage of the declared debt level. A sum of £250,000 was allocated to this scheme in 1993. For the current year I have increased this allocation to £320,000.