Róisín Shortall
Question:432 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will grant disadvantaged status to a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17892/00]
Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Status.
Minister for Education and Science
(Dr. Woods): As the Deputy will already be aware, 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 referred to by the Deputy. Work on analysis of the responses from schools is nearing completion and the results will allow for the identification of levels of disadvantage in every responding school.
I intend allocating additional resources next September to primary schools where there are young people at risk of educational disadvantage. Differing levels of interventions will include extra teacher support and/or extra funding which reflect the levels of need identified.
I expect to make a further announcement on this matter in the near future.