James Leonard
Question:58 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Education if she has carried out a survey to establish the reason a low percentage of primary schools in counties Cavan and Monaghan qualify as disadvantaged. [9628/95]
Written Answers. - Cavan and Monaghan Disadvantaged Schools.
Under present arrangements schools are selected for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas scheme on the basis of a range of criteria agreed some years ago between my Department, school management and the Irish National Teachers' Organisation.
Factors taken into account include the incidence of unemployment, local authority housing occupancy and medical card holding 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 applicant schools and the prevailing pupil teacher ratios.
Data under these headings is collected from applicant schools and, having regard to available resources, schools are selected for inclusion in the scheme on the basis of priority of need.
Applications for disadvantaged status from primary schools in counties Cavan and Monaghan are assessed and prioritised on the above basis, in common with all other applications.
To date, the level of need demonstrated by the schools in counties Cavan and Monaghan relative to the competing needs of other schools throughout the country has resulted in a relatively low percentage of primary schools in these counties qualifying for inclusion in the scheme.
I have commissioned the Combat Poverty Agency to review the adequacy of current approaches to the selection and support of schools in disadvantaged areas.
I expect to receive their report by the end of June next. This will provide a basis for the development of future approaches to the identification and support of pupils in disadvantaged areas.