Vol. 467 No. 1
72 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Education whether the class size of 29 pupils in the 309 schools designated as disadvantaged in recent years is an average or an actual figure; the schools that will benefit from the allocation of extra teachers in disadvantaged areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12681/96]
The staffing allocation made to each disadvantaged school is set at a level which enables the school authorities to ensure that no class will have more than 29 pupils. In response to reports which I commissioned from the Combat Poverty Agency and the Education Research Centre, I recently launched an important new initiative which seeks to break the cycle of education 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. 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 are eligible to apply for inclusion in this scheme.
The Education Research Centre has recently been in touch with all the schools in question inviting them to apply for consideration under the initiative. The centre will prioritise all applications in terms of level of need as represented by the data submitted by the schools and will advise my Department of the outcome.
