I fully support the RAPID programme targeted at the 25 most concentrated areas of urban disadvantage in the country as there is undoubtedly a strong link between poor educational achievement and socio-economic deprivation. Under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, up to £5.35 billion will be provided for education, including social inclusion and lifelong learning measures and education infrastructure. The RAPID programme will prioritise and front-load expenditure to tackle the varying needs and priorities of each area.
While my Department, as currently structured, is not in a position at present to provide representation on each of the 25 RAPID area implementation teams, it is implementing a programme of structural reform which will in time create the capacity to participate in local and regional developments, such as the RAPID initiative.
In the meantime, I recently nominated seven senior personnel to support the work of the 14 local drugs task forces. These task forces are considered by the Government to be the initial high priority areas in view of the serious drug problems being experienced by these communities.
My Department has an extensive range of programmes for individual schools serving areas of greatest disadvantage. These include Giving Children an Even Break – the new programme for primary school pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds which incorporates schools which already have designated disadvantaged status and schools in the urban dimension of Breaking the Cycle. The stay in school retention initiative at second level in 117 schools draws on the experience of integrated services from the 8-15 early school leaver initiative. The home school community liaison scheme promotes parental collaboration with teachers in children's learning.