Vol. 501 No. 3
386 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of pupils involved in partnership company education programmes at primary and secondary levels designed to counter poor attendance or the risk of early school leaving; and the aggregate data of the type of programmes and unit costs. [6248/99]
The details sought by the Deputy are not readily available to my Department.
The implementation of education and preventative actions under the operational programme for local urban and rural development is a matter for the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation.
387 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools and pupils involved in special programmes to give structures support to pupils making the transition from primary to secondary level education; and the estimated costs of these programmes. [6250/99]
Second level schools generally liaise closely with their primary feeder schools in relation to pupil transfers. Most second level schools organise open days for senior primary pupils and their parents to visit the schools. This arrangement enables the primary pupils and their parents to familiarise themselves with the schools and the programmes on offer and can be of great assistance in easing transition from first to second level.
There is a particular need to encourage the transition from primary to second level of pupils from disadvantaged areas. This is best achieved by ensuring that such pupils and their parents have developed, during their period in the primary system, an appreciation of the importance of continued education to their children's long-term development.
Children attending primary schools in disadvantaged areas are supported by a range of special programmes, including: the disadvantaged areas scheme, which currently covers an estimated 75,800 primary school pupils in 318 schools and involves the allocation of 294 concessionary teachers posts and special capitation funding of £2.3 million per annum; the home-school-community liaison scheme, which currently covers over 58,000 pupils in 225 primary schools and involves the allocation of 133 locally based co-ordinators working with parents and schools in the selected areas; the breaking the cycle of disadvantage initiative, which currently covers approximately 14,000 pupils in 156 schools and involves a special allocation of 121 teachers and special funding of approximately £700,000 per annum; the eight to 15 year old early school leavers programme which is targeted on approximately 2,000 pupils in 78 schools in 14 selected projected areas. A total of £3.62 million is being made available to this programme over the next two years.
All of these programmes are targeted at supporting the participation of disadvantaged children in the primary system and fostering the development of an appreciation of the value of continued participation in the education system.
