Vol. 472 No. 1
204 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education the current position regarding an application by St. Vincent's girls school, North William Street, Dublin 1, for a full-time home-school community co-ordinator and for inclusion in the new pilot project for disadvantaged schools following representations made by Deputy Haughey on its behalf; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22548/96]
The school in question currently has the services of a home school community liaison co-ordinator on a shared basis with another school in its area. I have no plans at present to appoint additional coordinators to the home school community liaison service.
The Deputy may be aware that this school has recently been selected for inclusion in the urban phase of the Breaking the Cycle initiative. Under this initiative, a targeted programme of special supports is being made available to selected urban and rural schools which have been identified as being particularly disadvantaged.
As a result of its inclusion in this initiative, the school in question has been allocated four additional teacher posts to allow for a maximum class size of 15:1 in all junior classes. The school will also receive special additional funding for the purchase of teaching and learning materials and equipment. A further sum will be allocated to the school to facilitate the development of out of school projects aimed at combating educational disadvantage. In addition, the school will attract enhanced capitation funding at a rate of £75 per pupil.
A newly appointed co-ordinator is overseeing the operation of the urban phase of the Breaking the Cycle initiative. My Department is also arranging to provide targeted in-career development for the teaching staff involved in the new initiative.
I should also mention that the school in question is one of a small group of schools which have been allocated a special teacher counsellor post under a pilot initiative aimed at addressing the difficulties presented by disruptive pupils.
I am satisfied that the measures referred to above represent a substantial response to the needs of the school in question.
