Róisín Shortall
Ceist:41 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has for the extension of the disadvantaged scheme for primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7801/99]
Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Status.
Brian O'Shea
Ceist:46 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to substantially increase the number of primary schools which hold disadvantaged status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7745/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 46 together.
A study of educational disadvantage conducted by the Combat Poverty Agency and the Education Research Centre in 1996 concluded that disadvantaged status should be confined to 16 per cent of the school-going population. The study noted that such status had already been granted to 17 per cent of pupils. As an alternative to extending the disadvantaged areas scheme to additional schools, the study recommended that available resources should be targeted at schools with the greatest concentrations of children from disadvantaged backgrounds already in the scheme.
The Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage pilot project was subsequently introduced to deliver the sort of targeted support recommended in the study. This scheme is operating over a planned five year period. The operation of the scheme is being closely monitored by my Department and the scheme is being evaluated by the Education Research Centre.
The House will be aware that I recently announced details of a major initiative to tackle educational disadvantage. This initiative involves expenditure of £57 million over the next two years to address educational disadvantage at all levels in the education system. It represents the largest ever programme of its type in this country and it is my intention to build further on this initiative in the years ahead.