Vol. 522 No. 4
283 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 25 of 8 June 2000, he will outline the basis on which he will be spending £194 million over three years while, at the same time, he refuses to extend the Breaking the Cycle scheme, and the Early Start programme; the strategy he is following in relation to educational disadvantage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19041/00]
There have been various initiatives put in place over the years intended to tackle educational disadvantage. In general, they have been limited and have not achieved, or sought to achieve, an impact throughout the system. It has been shown time and again that resources will not, by themselves, solve the impact of educational disadvantage. New approaches are required and there must be an openness to change.
As the Deputy will be aware, I am currently implementing a £194 million three year multi-sectoral programme to offset educational disadvantage that will provide specific supports for early education, primary, post-primary and third levels of the formal system as well as life-long and continuing education. The supports will target people at risk of, or who are experiencing educational disadvantage. The supports will also be provided to those with poor levels of literacy skills as well as people with disabilities.
The Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage scheme is a five year pilot project. It began in September 1996 in 33 urban and 123 rural schools that have high concentrations of pupils with characteristics that are associated with educational disadvantage and early school leaving. The project is being evaluated by the Educational Research Centre in Drumcondra. Interim reports on each of the two dimensions of Breaking the Cycle have now been received in my Department and are under consideration. I propose to wait until nearer to the end of the pilot project in June 2001 and receipt of the final evaluation report before making any further plans in relation to this initiative.
As the Deputy will be aware, a White Paper on Early Childhood Education was launched late last year. The principal objective of this White Paper is "to support the development and educational achievement of children through high quality early education, with particular focus on the target groups of disadvantaged pupils and those with special needs".
The White Paper sets out a comprehensive early education strategy in respect of children who are disadvantaged. A key element of this strategy will involve continued support and improvement to existing programmes, including Early Start. This strategy will be informed by the outcome of evaluations carried out in relation to the Early Start programme and the need to ensure the development of best practice for early childhood education for disadvantaged pupils. Initial planning for implementation of the recommendations made in the White Paper, including proposals concerning children who are disadvantaged, is currently under way in my Department.
