Vol. 519 No. 2
318 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve the appointment of a full-time homeschool-community liaison teacher to Scoil Lorcáin Boys national school, St. John's Park, Waterford, in view of the fact the school is situated in an area of acknowledged disadvantage and is in urgent need of additional resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13436/00]
From the commencement of the current school year, the homeschool-community liaison service has been extended to all first and second level schools which have disadvantaged area status. As the school in question does not have disadvantaged status, it was not included in this extension of the service.
I have set the tackling of educational disadvantage as a priority and will be bringing forward proposals for a major initiative to address the needs of pupils who are encountering educational disadvantage in the primary system.
As a first step in this process, the educational research centre recently issued a comprehensive questionnaire to all primary schools, including the school to which the Deputy refers. The responses from schools, which are now being assessed by the Educational Research Centre, will allow for an accurate identification of levels of disadvantage in every school, including the school in question.
Based on the levels of need identified, my objective is to introduce a range of significant and specifically targeted interventions which will ensure that disadvantaged children will receive the support they require to enable them to succeed in the education system. The interventions in question will take the form of extra teacher support or extra funding, or both, depending on the nature and level of need identified.
I can assure the Deputy that the needs of the school to which he refers will be fully considered as part of this process. I expect to make a further announcement in relation to this matter in the near future.
