Brian O'Shea
Question:593 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will extend disadvantaged status to Portlaw national school, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7747/99]
Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Status.
Brian O'Shea
Question:594 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will extend disadvantaged status to St. Mary's national school, Dungarvan, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7749/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 593 and 594 together.
I have no proposals at present to extend disadvantaged area status to additional national schools.
A study of educational disadvantage conducted by the Combat Poverty Agency and the Educational 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 on the most disadvantaged schools.
The Breaking the Cycle pilot project was subsequently introduced to deliver the sort of targeted support recommended in the study. The operation of Breaking the Cycle is being closely monitored by my Department's inspectorate and the project is being evaluated by the Education Research Centre.
I can assure the Deputy that the needs of the schools to which he refers will be fully considered in the context of any additional initiatives which may be undertaken to address educational disadvantage in the primary sector.