Vol. 501 No. 3
350 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the application by County Donegal VEC and Carrick vocational school parents association for disadvantaged status for Carrick vocational school, County Donegal. [5861/99]
In the current school year, of the total of 762 schools at second level, 190 schools have been allocated disadvantaged posts and qualify for disadvantaged status on that basis.
While I have no proposals at present for designing further schools as disadvantaged, I can assure the Deputy that the position of Carrick vocational school will receive full consideration in the context of any further review of the scheme.
351 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Education and Science if a decision has been made on an application from St. Joseph's primary school, Fairview, Dublin 3, to be classified as disadvantaged; if not, when he will make a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5862/99]
366 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has considered the application of St. Joseph's CB primary school, Fairview, Dublin 3, for designation as disadvantaged; the criteria he will apply in accessing the application; and when a decision will be reached. [6035/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 366 together.
I am aware that the schools in question have applied to my Department for disadvantaged area status.
A study of educational disadvantage conducted by the Combat Poverty Agency and the Education Research Centre in 1996 concluded that disadvantaged area 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 on the most disadvantaged schools already in the scheme.
The Breaking the Cycle pilot project was subsequently introduced to deliver the sort of targeted support recommended in the study. The operation of this project is being closely monitored by my Department's inspectorate.
I can assure the Deputies that the needs of the school to which they refer will be fully considered in the context of any additional initiatives which may be undertaken to address education disadvantage.
