Seamus Kirk
Question:15 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Education if she will designate Scoil Clochar Mhuire, Dundalk Roll No. 14651U, as disadvantaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1411/95]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.
Liam Aylward
Question:134 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education when the necessary resources will be made available for an extension of the present disadvantaged areas scheme. [2502/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 134 together.
I am aware that the school mentioned by the Deputy has applied for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas scheme. The case made by the school will be taken into account in the context of measures which I propose to take in the current year to address the needs of pupils in disadvantaged areas.
The Government's programme of renewal contains a range of commitments which have the specific aim of improving access to educational services for pupils from disadvantaged areas.
The measures proposed include a commitment to significant reductions in class sizes in primary schools, with special emphasis on areas of disadvantage, increasing capitation grants for primary schools with a special emphasis on schools which include pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, and adequate provision for the establishment and maintenance of school book loan schemes.
In my statement on the 1995 Estimates, I indicated that it is proposed to retain some 340 teaching posts in the primary system which would otherwise have been lost because of falling enrolments. The availability of these posts will allow me to further address the needs of disadvantaged pupils in primary schools.
I also confirmed that the allocation to the disadvantaged areas fund is being increased by almost £1.3 million or 61 per cent in 1995. This increase follows a 40 per cent increase in 1994 and will enable me to target significant extra funding on disadvantaged pupils. In addition, I indicated that the book scheme provision at primary level has been increased by 26 per cent. This increase follows a 15 per cent increase in 1994.
The increased allocations to which I referred represent a substantial input of targeted resources aimed at addressing the needs of pupils from disadvantaged areas and will enable me to build on the significant progress achieved in this area in recent years.
I am close to finalising my thinking on the development of these resources. I expect to make an announcement on the matter very shortly.