Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Feb 1997

Vol. 474 No. 4

Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Area Status.

Michael Smith

Question:

121 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will grant full disadvantaged status to Littleton national school, Littleton, Thurles, County Tipperary; if she will provide a full time remedial teacher and funding appropriate to a disadvantaged area; if the current staff numbers will be retained in spite of a fall of one pupil per class from the retention figure on 30 September 1996; and if she will provide a substantial structural building grant to this school. [3303/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I have no plans to extend disadvantaged area status to additional primary schools.

A detailed study of educational disadvantage conducted by the Combat Poverty Agency and the Education Research Centre has recommended that disadvantaged area status be confined to 16 per cent of the school going population. The report noted that the current coverage of the scheme is already in excess of 17 per cent.

I am not in a position to allocate additional remedial teachers to primary schools. Such posts are allocated on the basis of priority of need and subject to available resources.

Since my appointment as Minister for Education, I have allocated an additional 241 remedial teachers to the primary sector. A total of 1,188 remedial teachers are now in place and the percentage of pupils who have access to a remedial service has increased from 77 per cent to 87 per cent. However, as Minister for Education, I have to consider how best to deploy available resources across a wider range of special needs. I have to determine priorities and try to allocate resources to best effect. I am satisfied that since my appointment as Minister for Education I have achieved substantial advances across the entire spectrum of special needs, including the remedial area. It is my intention to continue this process.

When I am next in a position to extend the remediation service or supports for disadvantaged schools, the needs of the school referred to by the Deputy will receive every consideration.

I am not in a position to state if the current staff numbers will be retained in Littleton national school for the 1997-8 school year. This is because decisions have not yet been taken regarding the staffing allocations for primary schools for the 1997-8 school year.

However, as soon as the allocations are determined, officials of my Department will review the position of the school in question, and will correspond directly with the board of management in the matter.

My Department has no record on file of an application from the school in question for a building grant.