Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 4

Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Schools.

Richard Bruton

Question:

447 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if the £3 million announced for disadvantaged schools involves new schools benefiting or existing schools obtaining an additional benefit not previously received; and, if not, if it reflects changes in student numbers within these schools. [20537/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

As indicated in my announcement, the funding in question is part of the special package of supports made available to schools which have been designated as disadvantaged and schools which have been included in the breaking the cycle pilot project. The payments to which I referred represent part of the overall disadvantaged areas fund, an overall funding package amounting to £4.44 million in 1998, which is specifically targeted on disadvantaged areas. The remainder of this fund is also being expended on a range of further initiatives which are targeted on schools and projects in disadvantaged areas. Final decisions in relation to the allocation of the remainder of the fund will be taken shortly.

The essential purpose of the announcement to which the Deputy refers was to draw attention to the significant level of special support which, contrary to some recent comments, is actually provided to assist pupils in disadvantaged areas. I would also point out that funding allocations under the disadvataged area fund do not include the salary costs of the significant number of special teachers and home school community liaison co-ordinators who are in place to assist pupils in disadvantaged areas. In common with primary schools generally, the number of pupils enrolled in schools included in the disadvantaged areas scheme and in breaking the cycle changes from year to year. The payments to which I referred were based on student numbers in the schools in question in September 1997.