Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Feb 2003

Vol. 562 No. 3

Written Answers - Educational Disadvantage.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

27 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals he is considering to require fee paying schools to admit a quota of disadvantaged students; the way in which the proposed system would work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5824/03]

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

The issue of State support for fee paying schools raises complex issues such as social equity and prioritisation of resources. I did mention the possibility of requiring fee paying schools to admit a quota of disadvantaged students in the course of a radio programme in November last. Those comments constituted a minor part of a 45 minute programme dealing with the wider issue of educational disadvantage and should not be taken out of context. The essential point is that I flagged issues such as this, which we cannot ignore when considering educational disadvantage. I have not reached a final position on this issue and it is one of a number of issues I intend to address during my term as Minister for Education and Science.

Since my appointment, I have made it clear, at every opportunity, that addressing educational disadvantage is my top priority. It is my intention to ensure that available educational resources are targeted at the most disadvantaged people in the education system at all levels.

My overall approach to tackling educational disadvantage is set in the context of An Agreed Programme for Government and the Government's national anti-poverty strategy, NAPS. Education is a central element of the NAPS, which includes three headline targets for education focusing on reducing early school leaving, and improving literacy levels in schools and in the adult population. This includes targeting resources towards those children most at risk of early school leaving, in order to encourage long-term participation in education and better educational outcomes for all children. The NAPS approach for education is based on a continuum of provision, from early childhood through adulthood, with the focus on preventive strategies, targeting and integrated community responses. The strategies and programmes which we are implementing to achieve the NAPS targets, build on the very comprehensive range of measures that have already been put in place to counter educational disadvantage.