Vol. 519 No. 5
318 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction the necessary finance for the appointment of a home-school liaison officer to Ormonde College, Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14113/00]
In the current school year, of the total of 752 schools at second level, 211 schools have disadvantaged status and have been invited to participate in the home-school-community liaison scheme this year.
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% of the school going population. The study noted that such status had already been granted to 17% of pupils. As an alternative to extending the disadvantaged areas scheme to additional schools, the study recommended that available resources be targeted on the most disadvantaged schools.
I assure the Deputy that the position of this school will receive full consideration in the context of any future review of the disadvantaged and home-school-community liaison schemes.
