Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Breaking the Cycle Scheme.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

413 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to extend the deadline for applications for the scheme Breaking the Cycle in view of the fact that there appears to be confusion as to eligibility among small urban disadvantaged schools arising from the wording of her Department's leaflet which referred to 25 selected large schools. [14992/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I have no plans to extend the deadline for applications for the scheme Breaking the Cycle.

All schools already designated as disadvantaged, regardless of size, in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway were invited to apply for inclusion in Breaking the Cycle. In addition, all schools from all parts of the country with fewer than five teachers were eligible to apply for inclusion under the initiative. The Education Research Centre has recently been in touch with all the target schools and has invited applications for consideration for support under the new initiative.

The centre is currently prioritising all applications in terms of level of needs as represented by the data submitted by the schools and will advise my Department of the outcome shortly.