Vol. 449 No. 5
89 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Education if she will re-examine the application of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13 for disadvantaged status in view of the deprived socio-economic background of many of its students. [4124/95]
I am aware that the school in question has applied for inclusion in the disadvantaged area scheme.
Schools are selected for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas scheme on the basis of priority of need as reflected by a range of socio-economic indicators. Factors taken into account include the incidence of unemployment, local authority housing and medical card holders among the parents of the children concerned.Account is also taken of the views of my Department's inspectorate on the relative levels of need between schools and the prevailing pupil teacher ratios.
A total of 54 primary schools have been included in the disadvantaged areas scheme for the current school year. I am keeping the question of further need in this area under ongoing review in my Department and the needs of the school referred to by the Deputy will be considered in the context of any further expansion of the disadvantaged areas scheme.
