asked the Minister for Education and Science when he first announced the establishment of a task force on educational disadvantage; when this task force was actually established; if it has had its inaugural meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9212/02]
Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Status.
44.
Emmet Stagg
Question:83 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the membership of the Committee on Education Disadvantage; and the number of occasions on which it has met since its inception. [9187/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 83 together.
I announced the establishment of the Committee on Educational Disadvantage, under section 32 of the Education Act, 1998, on 13 December 2001. The main terms of reference of the committee are to advise me, as Minister for Education and Science, on policies and strategies to be adopted to identify and correct educational disadvantage. I have appointed Professor Áine Hyland, vice-president and Professor of Education at UCC, to chair the committee, which has a total of 21 members including the chairperson. The members will have a three year term of office. I am arranging for the list of members to be made available to the Deputies. I regard the establishment of the educational disadvantage committee as a indication of the priority which this Government attaches to combating disadvantage at every level in education and I am arranging for the inaugural meeting of the Committee to be held in the very near future.