Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 1

Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Status.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

116 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Education the relevant criteria for the acquisition of disadvantaged status at primary level. [3498/95]

Mary Coughlan

Question:

126 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Education if any disadvantaged posts will be provided in the primary sector this year; if she will continue with the process of providing additional resources in schools which are classified as disadvantaged; the criteria for designation of such status and funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3063/95]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 126 together.

As I recently indicated, I propose to allocate an additional 30 posts to the home/school links scheme in the current year. These posts will be targeted on schools in disadvantaged areas.

I have also secured a very substantial increase in the funding available to assist schools in disadvantaged areas in the current year. The allocation to the disadvantaged areas fund for 1995 is £3.4 million. This represent an increase of £1.3 million on the spend in this area in 1994.

Schools are selected for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas 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 views of my Department's inspectorate on the relative levels of need between schools and the prevailing pupil teacher ratios.

I have commissioned the Combat Poverty Agency to undertake a detailed study of educational disadvantage, the criteria for selecting schools for receipt of special supports and the nature of the supports which should be provided to address the problem. The outcome of this study will provide a valuable input into the development of services in this area in the future.

Top
Share