Mary Coughlan
Question:239 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Education whether Drumkeen national school, County Donegal, will be granted disadvantaged status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12922/96]
Written Answers. - Drumkeen (Donegal) National School.
I recently launched an important new initiative which seeks to break the cycle of education disadvantage in selected urban and rural areas. The initiative is in response to reports which I received from the Combat Poverty Agency and the Education Research Centre. In line with the recommendations in the reports, a targeted programme of supports is being made available to 25 selected schools in designated areas of disadvantage in the Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford urban areas. In addition, 25 clusters of small schools with fewer than five teachers, and particularly those in rural areas with high levels of disadvantage, will receive a targeted programme of supports. Schools from all parts of the country with fewer than five teachers are eligible to apply for inclusion in this scheme.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that Drumkeen national school is among those recently invited by the education research centre to submit an application for consideration under the scheme. The centre will prioritise all applications in terms of level of need and will advise my Department of the outcome. Schools selected as a result of this process will be invited to submit a five year development plan. Each such plan will be required to identify current difficulties and put forward specific proposals and targets for addressing the problems of educational disadvantage. Qualification for support will depend on the submission of suitable development plans.