Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 2

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

282 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals he has to include Fenor national school, Fenor, County Waterford, in the new programme, Giving Children an Even Break; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13035/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The new disadvantage programme, Giving Children an Even Break, which was launched last year to tackle educational disadvantage at primary level, replaced the previous process of the designation of schools that serve areas of educational disadvantage. My Department's approach is now refined to ensure that the individual "at risk" pupils are targeted. Rather than the old method of designating additional schools, my Department now provides support that is commensurate with the levels of concentration in schools of pupils with characteristics that are associated with educational disadvantage and early school leaving.

The schools targeted under Giving Children an Even Break were identified through a comprehensive and objective survey of all primary schools carried out in 2000 by the Educational Research Centre, Drumcondra, on my Department's behalf. All primary schools were invited to complete the survey questionnaire and over 75% of primary schools participated and returned completed survey forms to the ERC.

The Educational Research Centre's records indicate that a questionnaire to apply for inclusion in Giving Children an Even Break was not received at that time from the school in question. In the absence of a completed survey form from the school, the ERC was unable to assess the level of concentration of pupils in the school with characteristics that are associated with educational disadvantage.

Where schools expressed concern about the outcome of the survey in respect of their school, they were advised to make representations to my Department outlining their circumstances. Schools were informed that these representations would then be referred to the Educational Research Centre for consideration and my Department would then consider the position of these schools.

In accordance with the approach outlined, representations from the school in question were forwarded to the Educational Research Centre. My Department has now received a report from the Educational Research Centre and the situation of such schools, including the school in question, seeking inclusion in Giving Children an Even Break is currently under consideration. The school authorities will be informed of the outcome of this process in the near future.