Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 4

Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Status.

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

I am aware of the case made by the schools in question regarding their application for disadvantaged status.

I have set the tackling of educational disadvantage as a priority and will shortly bring 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 schools referred to by the Deputy. Work on analysis of the responses from schools is nearing completion and the results will allow for an accurate identification of levels of disadvantage in every school.

I intend allocating additional resources next September to selected primary schools that have the highest concentrations of young people at risk of educational disadvantage. Differing levels of interventions will include extra teacher support and-or extra funding which will be allocated to selected schools and will reflect the levels of need identified.

I expect to make a further announcement in relation to this matter in the near future.