Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 1

Written Answers. - Breaking the Cycle Scheme.

Michael Ring

Question:

216 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will investigate the inequity of the Breaking the Cycle system, where some schools in rural areas did not qualify for inclusion, yet other neighbouring schools of similar backgrounds did qualify for disadvantaged status; and the reason similar catchments do not qualify for the same grants. [10180/01]

Michael Ring

Question:

217 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if the Breaking the Cycle pilot project scheme will be extended after autumn 2001. [10181/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Question Nos. 216 and 217 together.

The Breaking the Cycle pilot project was introduced in 1996. The project seeks to target a programme of special supports on selected urban and rural schools, which were identified as being particularly disadvantaged through a survey of schools carried out by the Educational Research Centre. The criteria under which schools were selected for inclusion in this initiative and the selection process itself, were devised and carried out by the Educational Research Centre following detailed consideration of a range of indicators of educational disadvantage. In the case of the rural dimension, the Educational Research Centre concluded that the initiative should focus on groups of schools each of which had fewer than five teachers and whose proximity to each other was such to create a cluster which was capable of being served by one locally based co-ordinator. On the basis of these criteria and the survey outcome, schools were selected on the basis of priority of need. The operation of the pilot project is being closely monitored by my Department and it is being evaluated by the Educational Research Centre. A further comprehensive survey of all primary schools was carried out by the Educational Research Centre in 2000 at the request of my Department.

The purpose of the survey was to identify the level of concentration in each primary school of pupils with characteristics that are associated with educational disadvantage and early school leaving. A number of accepted socio-economic variables, were used to compute an index of disadvantage for each school surveyed. The survey provides a valuable basis for directing resources to the areas of greatest need. The survey outcome forms the basis of the new programme, giving children an even break, which I announced in January last to tackle educational disadvantage at primary level over a three year period. All of the schools identified as having enrolled pupils with characteristics of disadvantage have been invited to participate in the new programme. Over 2,300 primary schools will benefit under the programme, based on the levels of concentration of disadvantaged pupils in the schools as identified through the ERC survey. Schools already in receipt of additional resources under the disadvantaged areas scheme and, or, Breaking the Cycle pilot project retain their entitlements under those schemes and may also be eligible to received additional supports under the new programme. Where schools have expressed concern about the outcome of the survey in respect of their school, they have been advised to make representations to my Department outlining their circumstances. These representations will be referred to the Educational Research Centre for consideration and my Department will then further consider the position of these schools.