John Ellis
Ceist:271 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Education the financial assistance, if any, she will provide to a school (details supplied) in County Leitrim under the scheme for disadvantaged schools in 1996. [6570/96]
Written Answers. - Leitrim School Financial Assistance.
I am not in a position at present to make additional financial assistance available to the school in question.
In 1995 I commissioned the Combat Poverty Agency to undertake a review of our current approaches to the selection and support of pupils suffering educational disadvantage. The outcome of that study was a comprehensive and complex report which was published in summary form in December 1995.
In making the report publicly available, I invited interested parties to make further submissions on the subject and my invitation has attracted a significant response.
My Department is currently considering the findings of the Combat Poverty study as part of the process of developing a revised approach to the selection and support of pupils suffering educational disadvantage.
The needs of the school mentioned by the Deputy will be considered in the context of any further expansion of the disadvantaged areas scheme which may be undertaken.