Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 6

Written Answers - Disadvantaged Status.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

399 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that secondary schools in County Wexford attended by pupils who have left primary schools designated disadvantaged are given the resources, funding and staff levels necessary to provide a fully comprehensive remedial service, a proper home-school liaison service and other facilities for these pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23412/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

In the current school year, of the total of 762 schools at second level, 190 schools have disadvantaged status.

I have no proposals at present for designating further schools as disadvantaged. However, I can assure the Deputy that the position of the second level schools in County Wexford which currently do not have disadvantaged status will receive full consideration in the context of any future review of this scheme.

The question of allocating additional remedial and home-school links posts to second level schools must be considered in the context of available resources.

In the Expenditure Estimates for the public services published last week, I was pleased to announce a major increase in education spending for next year which will be targeted at the areas most in need of additional resources including the funding of schools in the voluntary secondary sector. Provision has been made for a £7 increase in the standardper capita grant for voluntary secondary schools. Schools in the other sectors will also receive additional funding.