Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 December 2004
278 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will extend the ex quota post at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 3 for a further three years to target an early intervention response for children in the junior classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33861/04]
View answerThe matter of extending the sanction for the concessionary post in question beyond the end of the 2004-05 school year is under consideration in my Department. The school authorities will be notified of the decision in due course.
279 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science if the teacher now on the transfer panel at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 3 can be retained under the giving children an even break initiative in view of the disadvantaged status of the school and the concerns of parents and management that if the school loses this teacher this will accentuate the decline of the school. [33862/04]
View answer280 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science if it his her intention to provide additional teachers to disadvantaged schools under new initiatives in 2005; and if so, if the teacher now in the panel at a school (details supplied can be retained by the school. [33863/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 280 together.
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule and is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners. The enrolment of the school referred to by the Deputy on 30 September 2003 was 172 pupils, which warrants a staffing of a principal and five mainstream class teachers for the 2004-05 school year. The school also has a disadvantaged concessionary post, a learning support post, a resource teacher post, a shared home school liaison post, an additional mainstream post to allow for an administrative principal and a special concessionary post. The school is included in the disadvantaged areas scheme, DAS, and giving children an even break, GCEB.
Under DAS, the school, in addition to the concessionary disadvantaged post and the shared home school liaison post, benefits from additional capitation grants of €38.09per capita, a refund of the television licence fee and eligibility for 95% building grants for building projects. The school is also included in the urban dimension of giving children an even break. The school is benefiting from supplementary funding to provide additional educational supports for the children concerned. The school was not considered eligible for additional teaching staff, based on the level of concentration of at risk pupils in the school. In the circumstances, the surplus post in the school must be suppressed and the teacher concerned is liable for redeployment in accordance with the normal panel arrangements.
My Department has been engaged in an overall review of its educational disadvantage programmes, with a view to building on what has been achieved to date, adopting a more systematic, targeted and integrated approach and strengthening the capacity of the system to meet the educational needs of disadvantaged children and young people. A decision to expand or extend the initiatives aimed at addressing educational disadvantage is being considered in the context of this review, the outcome of which I hope to announce shortly.
281 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science the additional funding available to her Department in 2005 for disadvantaged education; the manner in which it will be allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33864/04]
View answerTackling educational disadvantage is one of my key priorities. My approach in addressing this issue is set in the context of the Government's national action plan against poverty and social exclusion 2003-05 and the latest partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress, which contains a special initiative focused on literacy, numeracy and early school leavers. Significant additional funding is being provided to alleviate disadvantage in 2005. This additional funding will allow for targeting of measures from pre-school through the school system to third-level, second-chance education and adult literacy. In particular, additional funding is being provided for early childhood; literacy-numeracy; retention at first and second levels; second chance and adult literacy; and access to higher education/student support measures.
The area of literacy will be getting a particular focus, with a 40% increase in provision for early literacy programmes and a 35% increase in funding for the schools library service. The 20% or €1.3 million increase in funding for the National Educational Welfare Board will support its work in reducing school drop out and absence. An additional ten education welfare officers were recently approved bringing the board's authorised staffing to 94, and ensuring coverage for all counties. The area of second chance and adult education will also receive support, with additional provision for Youthreach, adult guidance, adult literacy and child care services for VTOS participants. Increased provision is also being made for maintenance support for third level students. The budget for student support measures in 2005, at €209 million, will be €12 million greater than this year.
My Department is finalising a new action plan for tackling disadvantage which ensure an effective, innovative and targeted approach to promote better inclusion, participation and achievement at all levels of the education system. I will provide further detail of specific improvements and measures in due course as the plan rolls out.
