Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 6

Written Answers. - County Cavan Disadvantaged Schools.

Brendan Smith

Question:

149 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education the schools in County Cavan which will be included in the educational disadvantaged pilot scheme for small school programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17992/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The scheme to which the Deputy refers was targeted at schools with fewer than five teachers and particularly those in rural areas which serve dispersed populations and which have concentrations of children who are at risk of not reaching their potential in the school system.

I understand that a total of 1,915 schools were invited by the Education Research Centre to apply for inclusion in the scheme. A total of 691 schools actually applied, including ten schools from County Cavan. The relative need of all applicants was assessed by the Education Research Centre on the basis of the data submitted by the schools and using objective criteria which had been developed by the Education Research Centre.

Arising from this assessment, the centre selected 118 schools for inclusion in the 25 clusters proposed under the scheme.

Unfortunately, none of the ten applicants from County Cavan qualified for inclusion in the scheme.