Vol. 471 No. 4
212 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Education if she has considered the revised application for inclusion in the breaking the cycle scheme in respect of St. Mary's on the Hill national school, Knocknaheeney, Cork; if she intends to reverse the previous decision not to include this school in the scheme in view of the new information now available to her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21148/96]
215 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the revised application for inclusion in the breaking the cycle scheme in respect of Scoil Padre Pio, Churchfield, Cork; if so, whether she intends to reverse the previous decision not to include this school in the scheme in view of the new information now available to her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21158/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 215 together.
I am aware that the schools in question submitted additional data in support of their application for inclusion in the Breaking the Cycle initiative. As previously indicated to the Deputy, the criteria under which schools were selected for inclusion in this initiative and the selection process itself, were devised and carried out by the Education Research Centre following detailed consideration of a range of indicators of educational disadvantage.
The Education Research Centre has examined the position of the two schools in question in the light of the additional information to which the Deputy refers. However, I am informed by the centre that, based on the information provided, the schools in question have not qualified for inclusion in the scheme.
My decision to request the Education Research Centre to undertake the task of devising criteria and selecting schools for inclusion in this initiative was taken in recognition of the complexity of the issues involved and the recognised expertise of the centre and the Combat Poverty Agency in this area. I am satisfied that my decision was the correct one in the circumstances.
