Liam Aylward
Question:195 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education if she will now approve an application for disadvantaged status by a school (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14062/96]
Vol. 467 No. 7
195 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education if she will now approve an application for disadvantaged status by a school (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14062/96]
The Deputy may be aware that I recently launched an important new initiative which seeks to break the cycle of educational disadvantage in selected urban and rural areas. The initiative is in response to reports which I commissioned 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 twenty-five 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.