Vol. 524 No. 2
429 Ms Coughlan asked the Minister for Education and Science the additional resources which will be allocated to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal as recently requested by the board of management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22164/00]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to a request by the school for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas scheme and for a resource teacher.
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 primary schools. As a first step in this process, the Educational Research Centre issued a comprehensive questionnaire to all primary schools in April of this year, including the school referred to by the Deputy. The analysis by the Educational Research Centre of the responses from the schools is nearing completion. This will allow for an accurate identification of levels of disadvantage in every primary school that responded to the survey.
Based on the levels of need identified, my objective is to introduce a range of significant and specifically targeted interventions, which will ensure that disadvantaged children receive the support they require to enable them to succeed in school. The interventions in question will take the form of extra teacher support or extra funding, or both, depending on the nature and level of need identified. I expect to make a further announcement in relation to this matter in the near future.
