Brian O'Shea
Question:359 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to extend disadvantaged status to further primary schools in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26444/98]
Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Status.
A study of educational disadvantage conducted by the Combat Poverty Agency and the Education Research Centre in 1996 concluded that disadvantaged status should be confined to 16 per cent of the school-going population. The study noted that such status had already been granted to 17 per cent of pupils. As an alternative to extending the disadvantaged areas scheme to additional schools, the study recommended that available resources should be targeted at the most disadvantaged schools already in the scheme.
The Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage pilot project was subsequently introduced to deliver the sort of targeted support recommended in the study. In addition, as part of a major initiative to tackle educational disadvantage at all levels, I recently announced my intention to extend the home-school-community liaison service to all schools with disadvantaged status.
My objective is to ensure that all available resources are properly targeted so that children who are educationally disadvantaged receive the support they need to maximise their potential in the education system.