Vol. 489 No. 6
780 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if assistance will be given to a primary school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 which, unlike all other schools in the vicinity, does not have disadvantaged status and whose numbers are borderline for the retention of existing staff levels; if he will agree to a request for retention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9445/98]
No decisions have yet been made regarding staffing allocations to primary schools for the 1998/99 school year. The disadvantaged areas scheme was last expanded in 1994 when an additional 54 schools were included for capitation purposes only. Three schools from the Ballygall area were granted disadvantaged area status at that time. However, I understand that the school to which the Deputy refers did not apply for inclusion in the scheme on that occasion.
I am currently reviewing my Department's overall response to the problem of educational disadvantage. My objective is to ensure that all available resources are properly targeted so that children who are educationally disadvantaged receive the support necessary to enable them to maximise their potential in the education system. I can assure the Deputy that the needs of the school to which she refers will be fully considered in the context of any additional resource allocations which may be undertaken to address educational disadvantage.
