Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Breaking the Cycle Scheme.

Mary Flaherty

Question:

415 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Education the criteria she will use to assess applicant schools for the new 15 to 1 ratio at primary level for the Breaking the Cycle scheme in view of the brief nature of the application forms. [14994/96]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

438 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the criteria used in relation to the selection of schools to be designated as disadvantaged; when decisions will be made in relation to these designations; the advantages that the designation of disadvantaged status confers on a school so designated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15171/96]

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

477 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education the criteria used to establish disadvantaged status. [15384/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Question Nos. 415, 438 and 477 together. Schools are being selected for support under Breaking the Cycle Initiative by reference to new selection criteria, developed by the Education Research Centre, and taking on board the recommendations of the Combat Poverty Agency. The criteria were outlined in the Department's leaflet, Breaking the Cycle.

The following criteria are common to the identification of both urban and rural schools which serve children from disadvantaged backgrounds: long-term unemployment (one year or more) of the main breadwinner; the family having a medical card; living in a lone-parent household and the educational level attained by the mother and by the father.

In the case of urban schools, there is an additional criterion relating to the numbers of children who live in rented local authority accommodation and in the case of small rural schools, there is an additional criterion relating to the numbers of children from families in receipt of assistance because of limited incomes from farming. The advantages which will accrue to all schools included in Breaking the Cycle are: an additional £30 capitation grant; grant for the purchase of teaching and learning materials and special in-career development for school staff. In addition, there will be a maximum of 15 children in junior classes — that is junior infants to second classes — in urban schools. Co-ordinators will be appointed to promote the new initiative.

The application forms which were issued were very detailed and information was requested in regard to the school, enrolments, staffing, additional support schemes benefiting the school, details of the children in reception class, and commitment to in-career development, planning and the implementation of testing procedures for children with reading and numeracy difficulties.

Schools selected as a result of this process will be invited to submit five year development plans identifying current difficulties and putting forward specific proposals and targets to address the problem of educational disadvantage. Qualification for support will depend on the submission of suitable development plans.

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