There are 409 primary schools in the Dublin region of which 159 are included in the disadvantaged areas scheme. The current maximum class size for a primary school with disadvantaged status is 29 pupils.
There are 187 second level schools in the Dublin region of which 59 are designated as disadvantaged. The teacher allocation to all second level schools is determined on the basis of a pupil teacher ratio of 19 : 1 in the case of ordinary enrolments and on a de facto ratio of 16 : 1 in the case of enrolments on certain programmes such as the leaving certificate applied, the leaving certificate vocational programme and PLC courses.
There are 52 special schools in the Dublin region. The pupil teacher ratios in these schools are set out in the following table.
I am currently reviewing my Department's overall response to the problem of educational disadvantage. My objective is to ensure that all available resources are properly targeted so that children who are educationally disadvantaged receive the support necessary to enable them to maximise their potential in the education system.
The disadvantaged areas scheme, at primary level, was last expanded in 1994 when an additional 54 schools were included for capitation purposes only. Three schools from the area in question were granted disadvantaged status at that time. However, I understand that the school to which the Deputy refers did not apply for inclusion in the scheme on that occasion.
I assure the Deputy that the needs of the school to which he refers will be fully considered in the context of any additional resource allocations which may be undertaken to address educational disadvantage.
The present pupil teacher ratio for each category of special school is as follows:
