Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 15 Mar 1995

Vol. 450 No. 7

Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Schools.

John Ellis

Ceist:

70 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Education the schools in County Leitrim and County Sligo that have been designated as disadvantaged; and the proposals, if any, her Department has for improving the services being provided at each school. [5682/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Three primary schools in County Leitrim and two in County Sligo have been designated as disadvantaged. The schools in question are: St. Clare's national school, Manorhamilton; Scoil Mhuire na Toirbhirte, Carrick-on-Shannon, St. Brigid's national school, Drumcong; St. Edward's boys national school, Forthill, Sligo; Our Lady of Mercy national school, Sligo.

Each of these schools receives a special rate of capitation funding. The level of this funding is being increased from £55 per pupil to £65 per pupil for the coming school year. Three of the schools in question have also been allocated an additional concessionary teaching post.

At second-level, additional teaching posts have been allocated to: Mohill vocational school, Drumkeerin vocational school, and Marian College, Mohill.

The authorities at the schools in question have been requested to use these posts to counteract the impact of disadvantage through the provision of remedial help and the development of home-school links. I propose to allocate an additional 30 posts to the homeschool-liaison service at both primary and second-level. These posts will be targeted at schools in disadvantaged areas and the needs of the schools mentioned above will be considered in this context.

I have commissioned the Combat Poverty Agency to undertake a detailed study of educational disadvantage; the approaches used in selecting schools for receipt of special assistance; and the nature of the supports which should be provided. I expect to receive a report on the outcome of this study by mid year. This will provide a valuable basis for the development of future responses in this area.