Vol. 456 No. 6
125 Dr. Moffatt asked the Minister for Education if she will have arrangements made to put the primary school at Keenagh, Ballina, County Mayo, in the disadvantaged category in view of the fact that this school meets the usual criteria and consequently merits such classification. [14590/95]
An application for disadvantaged status from the school in question was considered in my Department in 1994 in the context of an expansion of the disadvantaged areas scheme being undertaken at that time. Unfortunately, the school did not rate high enough in terms of priority of need to justify its inclusion on that occasion.
Earlier this year I commissioned the Combat Poverty Agency to conduct a detailed study of current approaches to the identification and support of pupils in disadvantaged areas. The criteria used to determine eligibility for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas scheme are among the matters covered by the study.
A report on the outcome of this study has now been received in my Department and is currently being considered. This report will provide a basis for development of future approaches to the identification and support of children suffering educational disadvantage. The needs of the school referred to by the Deputy will be considered in the context of any future expansion of the disadvantaged areas scheme.
