asked the Minister for Education the criteria which will be used in defining the educational priority areas of urban centres; and if areas of rapidly increasing population, such as Navan and Ashbourne in County Meath, will qualify under the criteria.
Written Answers. - Educational Priority Areas.
816.
The main criteria employed in the identification of educational priority areas in urban areas are a high level of unemployment with consequent widespread dependence on social welfare services, overcrowding and lack of amenities in homes, incidence of physical and psychiatric illness and low educational achievement among parents and children. The criteria mentioned would be considered relevant to the circumstances of all urban areas, irrespective of their geographical location.