Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 3

Written Answers. - Home-School Liaison Scheme.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

312 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Wexford in the vocational sector will be awarded a home school liaison officer; if a further secondary school such as this will be considered for disadvantaged status; and if such status is continuing to be given to post-primary schools which qualify. [11678/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

In the current school year, of the total of 752 schools at second level, 211 schools have disadvantaged status and have been invited to participate in the home-school-community liaison scheme this year.

A study of educational disadvantage conducted by the combat poverty agency and the educational research centre in 1996 concluded that disadvantaged status should be confined to 16% of the school going population. The study noted that such status had already been granted to 17% of pupils. As an alternative to extending the disadvantaged areas scheme to additional schools, the study recommended that available resources be targeted on the most disadvantaged schools.

I can assure the Deputy that the position of this school will receive full consideration in the context of any future review of the disadvantaged and home-school-community liaison schemes.