I fully support the RAPID programme targeted at the 25 most concentrated areas of disadvantage in the country. I have long recognised the strong link between poor educational achievement and socio-economic deprivation.
My Department, as currently structured, is not in a position to provide representation on the RAPID co-ordinating committees, which include area implementation teams and city-county monitoring groups. In a major effort to alleviate the impediments imposed by the centralised structure of my Department, I will shortly present to Government far reaching proposals for departmental structural and education service delivery reforms, building on the work of Mr. Sean Cromien reviewing the Department's operations, systems and staffing needs.
One of the objectives of these proposals will be to provide the Department with the capacity to participate fully in local and regional developments, such as the RAPID programme.