Vol. 467 No. 1
224 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has in respect of the initiative entitled Breaking the Cycle; and when small urban schools will be considered for inclusion in this scheme. [12600/96]
The Breaking the Cycle initiative was launched in response to reports on educational disadvantage which I received from the Combat Poverty Agency and the Education Research Centre. This initiative seeks to break the cycle of disadvantage in selected urban and rural areas.
In line with the recommendations in the reports, a targeted programme of supports is being made available to 25 selected schools in designated areas of disadvantage in the Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford urban areas. All schools which have disadvantaged status and are located in the areas in question will be eligible for consideration under this element of the initiative.
In addition, 25 clusters of small schools with fewer than five teachers, and particularly those in rural areas with high levels of disadvantage, will receive a targeted programme of supports. Schools from all parts of the country with fewer than five teachers, including those in urban areas, are eligible to apply for inclusion in this element of the initiative.
