Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 7

Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Pupils.

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

66 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that although over 60 per cent of disadvantaged pupils live in rural areas only 2 per cent of the schools in these areas are classified as disadvantaged by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3537/96]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

85 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the steps, if any, she intends to take to address the imbalance between the number of children designated as disadvantaged in rural areas by the recent report of the Combat Poverty Agency; the number of schools in rural areas classified as disadvantaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3520/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 85 together.

I am very much aware of the current imbalance between urban and rural areas in terms of designation as disadvantaged for educational purposes.

It was precisely because of my concerns in this area that I commissioned the Combat Poverty Agency to conduct the study from which the Deputy now quotes.

The report presented by the Combat Poverty Agency represents one of the most comprehensive studies of educational disadvantage ever undertaken in the State. It is also a very complex document. For this reason, I arranged for the preparation of a summary report which I published in December 1995.

I invited interested parties to make further submissions by the end of January 1996. I am pleased to say that my invitation has attracted a significant response.

I have also commissioned the Education Research Centre to bring forward detailed proposals on the precise criteria which should be used in future for the identification of pupils affected by educational disadvantage. One of the key issues which will be addressed in this context is the question of identifying rural as well as urban disadvantage.

I expect to receive the report from the Education Research Centre very shortly. When this report has been received, my Department will proceed towards the development of a revised approach to the selection and support of disadvantaged pupils.

At present, a total of 309 primary schools are designated as disadvantaged. Of this total, it is estimated that 56 schools are located in areas with populations below 10,000.

At second-level, a total of 190 schools are designated as disadvantaged. Of this total, it is estimated that 86 schools are located in areas with populations below 10,000.