Bernard Allen
Ceist:223 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education if next year Gael Scoil bPeig Sayers will be recognised as a school in a disadvantaged area especially in view of information already submitted to her Department.
Written Answers. - Gael Scoil Status.
All schools seeking disadvantaged status are assessed and prioritised as to need on the basis of socio-economic and educational indicators including such factors as unemployment levels, percentage of local authority housing and percentage of medical card holders. In addition, in assessing the relative levels of disadvantage among applicant schools, account may be taken of pupil teacher ratios.
This enables the relative levels of disadvantage between schools to be established and provides a basis for listing schools in order of need.
The school in question did not qualify for disadvantaged status on the above basis.
The question of including further schools in the disadvantaged areas scheme, including the one referred to by the Deputy, will be considered in the light of the additional resources being targeted at children in educationally disadvantaged circumstances.