Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 6

Written Answers. - Breaking the Cycle Project.

Michael D'Arcy

Question:

146 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether Breaking the Cycle has demonstrated sufficient beneficial effect to warrant extension to new areas. [3146/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 146 together.

The two dimensions of the Breaking the Cycle pilot project were introduced to 33 urban and 123 rural schools in 1996 to test models of intervention, which would offset the effects of educational disadvantage, over a five-year period. The principal features of the urban dimension are the introduction of a maximum class size of 15 pupils in the first four years of the primary school cycle (infants through second classes) and the secondment of a co-ordinator to the Department to support project development in the schools.

The rural dimension of the project features the clustering of small rural schools and the appointment of a local co-ordinator in each of 25 clusters. All the schools in the project attract an enhanced capitation payment. They receive grants for the purchase of teaching and learning materials and may apply for funding for local in-school and out-of-school activities. The project schools must develop a five-year plan and participate in in-career development for teachers.

The Education Research Centre, Drumcondra, was commissioned to evaluate the pilot project and carried out a programme of testing in English and mathematics in third and sixth class in the project schools in 1996 to establish baseline data against which future attainment test results will be compared. It is proposed to assess pupils' literacy and numeracy attainment again in May 2000 and the initial impact of the initiative on pupil achievement will be measured in this context. Any extension of the project's provisions to further schools will be considered in light of the final evaluation report.

On 15 December 1999 the Taoiseach launched The New Deal A Plan for Educational Opportunity. This involves a three-year programme and the allocation of £194 million to tackle educational disadvantage at all levels. The initial step in implementing the programme will involve a survey of all primary schools during the current school term to identify the precise concentrations of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. The allocation of additional resources to the schools will be decided in the light of the survey information and the level and nature of the supports will reflect the level of need identified.

I assure the Deputy that it is my intention to attach particular priority to the issue of educational disadvantage and to ensure that an efficient and effective system of support for disadvantaged pupils is put in place by my Department.