Finian McGrath
Question:76 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the schemes to tackle educational disadvantage. [10350/04]
View answerThursday, 1 April 2004
Questions (76)
Written answers
Since my appointment as Minister for Education and Science, I have made it clear 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 Department operates a number of programmes specifically designed to tackle educational disadvantage in accordance with the strategies outlined in the national action plan against poverty and social exclusion 2003-05, and the latest social partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress, which contains a special initiative focused on tackling educational disadvantage, literacy, numeracy and early school leavers.
One of my key concerns is to improve the level of synergy between these programmes. My Department is engaged in a review of all initiatives to tackle educational disadvantage and I anticipate that the review process will be completed shortly.