Vol. 484 No. 2
64 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science the proportion of the spending on primary education which is devoted to programmes in disadvantaged areas; and whether he has set a target for an increase in this regard. [21729/97]
91 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science the proportion of the spending on primary education which is devoted to programmes in disadvantaged areas; and whether he has set a target for an increase in this regard. [21730/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 91 together.
The net provision in the 1997 Estimates for first level education amounted to £668,883,000. This provision included a sum of £17,222,000 targeted specifically at primary schools in disadvantaged areas to support the following services: the early start pre-school programme, the disadvantaged areas scheme, the home-school community laison service, the breaking the cycle pilot programme, the teaching counsellor scheme, and the school books schemes.
In addition to the above provision, schools in disadvantaged areas also have access to the remedial and resource teacher services. The total cost of these services in 1997 is estimated at £28,000,000. It is not possible to estimate accurately the proportion of this expenditure which applies to schools in disadvantaged areas.
I am currently reviewing provision across the special needs area, including supports for disadvantaged areas, to ensure that all available resources are deployed to maximum effect.
The abridged Estimates which have been published recently do not generally represent the total planned provision for public expenditure. It is normal practice for Government to review and adjust the expenditure provisions in the context of finalising the budget and in the light of more up-to-date outturn figures.
