Supports for schools at both second and primary level designated as disadvantaged are aimed at targeting those areas with the greatest needs in order to maximise participation and the potential for achievement within the education system.
A range of supports has been put in place over the past two decades to support primary and second level schools designated as disadvantaged by my Department. The supports include the payment of enhanced capitation grants. In the case of many of the designated schools, ex-quota concessionary staffing is allocated and inclusion in the home/school/community liasion scheme has been offered to all designated schools.
In addition at second level, curricular reform, the introduction of the junior certificate school programme, the transition year programme and the leaving certificate applied have increased the range of options that are more responsive to some young people's needs.