Vol. 448 No. 8
46 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education, in view of the submission made to her Department by two schools (details supplied) in Graiguenamanagh, County Kilkenny, if she will approve their application for disadvantaged status at the earliest possible date. [2961/95]
I am aware that the schools in question have 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 socio-economic 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 view of my Department's inspectorate on the relative levels of need between schools and the prevailing pupil teacher ratios.
A total of 54 additional primary schools have been included in the disadvantaged areas scheme for the current school year.
As indicated in my recent statement on budgetary allocations for 1995, I have secured a substantial increase in the level of funding allocated to the disadvantaged areas scheme. I will also be in a position to target some additional teaching posts on pupils in disadvantaged areas.
The needs of the schools in question will be considered in the context of these allocations.
