Vol. 491 No. 4
125 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the valuable work being done by a group (details supplied) in an area of serious social problems; if he will make funding available to the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12386/98]
I am aware of the valuable work being carried on by the North Clondalkin Homework Project. I would point out that pupils enrolled in this project also benefit from a range of special support services provided by my Department to the schools which they attend. The schools in question are included in the disadvantaged areas scheme and the home-school-community liaison scheme. Some of the schools also benefit from inclusion in the early start pre-school programme and the teaching counsellor scheme which is currently being piloted in the north Clondalkin area.
My Department has also been in touch with the North Clondalkin Homework Project regarding the recently launched initiative targeting early school leavers in the eight to 15 age group. This initiative is focused specifically on disadvantaged areas and should be of particular interest to groups such as the North Clondalkin Homework Project.
Under this initiative a total of £2.96 million is being made available over the next two years to support selected structured pilot projects in urban and rural areas of disadvantage which will test models for the development of an integrated area based co-ordination of services. Applications to participate in this initiative have been invited from all disadvantaged schools, area based partnerships and other community groups. The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 29 May 1998.
