Jack Wall
Ceist:27 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has in relation to the future of Breaking the Cycle. [16173/00]
Written Answers. - Breaking the Cycle Scheme.
Michael Noonan
Ceist:85 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received the interim report on Breaking the Cycle; and if he will extend this scheme. [16163/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 85 together.
Breaking the Cycle is a five-year project. It began in September 1996 in 33 urban and 122 rural schools that have high concentrations of pupils with characteristics that are associated with educational disadvantage and early school leaving. The project is being evaluated by the educational research centre in Drumcondra. Interim reports on each of the two dimensions of Breaking the Cycle have now been received in my Department and are under consideration.
I propose to wait until nearer to the end of the pilot project in June 2001 and receipt of the final evaluation report before making any further plans in relation to this initiative.
Under the new £194 million three year programme to address educational disadvantage, which I am currently finalising, significant financial and personnel resources will be allocated to the schools with the highest concentrations of at risk pupils for the implementation of in-school and out-of-school supports for the pupils and their families.