Vol. 456 No. 5
98 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Education the current position in relation to an application to her Department for disadvantaged status by a national school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if her attention has been drawn to the severe hardship being caused to teachers and pupils in the school as a result of the long delay in a decision being reached on the application; and when a final decision will be made in this matter. [14270/95]
An application for disadvantaged status for the school in question was received in my Department in April of this year.
The Deputy will be aware that I commissioned the Combat Poverty Agency to conduct a detailed study of current approaches to the identification and support of pupils in disadvantaged areas. The criteria used to determine eligibility for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas scheme are among the matters covered by the study.
A report on the outcome of this study has now been received in my Department and is presently being considered by my officials.
This report will provide a basis for the development of future approaches in this area.
The needs of the school referred to by the Deputy will be considered in the event of an expansion of the disadvantaged areas scheme being undertaken.
