Vol. 526 No. 4
338 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will be making his plans for disadvantaged schools known; if he will ensure that class sizes will be reduced for these schools along with a greater provision of teacher/counsellors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26861/00]
I take it that the Deputy is referring to my plans for a new three-year programme to address educational disadvantage in primary schools. 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. As a first step in the new programme, I will be allocating 200 new teaching posts and additional funding to primary schools with significant concentrations of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. I expect to be in a position to make a further announcement in relation to this matter shortly.
