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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - Breaking the Cycle Scheme.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

483 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason Archbishop McQuaid junior and senior national schools, Loughlinstown, County Dublin, have not been included in the Breaking the Cycle scheme; the plans he has to include these schools in this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23032/00]

The schools referred to by the Deputy applied for inclusion in the Breaking the Cycle pilot project in 1996. All applicant schools were assessed by the Educational Research Centre as to priority of need on the basis of criteria devised by the centre. Unfortunately, based on the data received at that time, the schools referred to did not rank high enough on the priority list to warrant inclusion in the pilot project.

The schools in question are included in the disadvantaged areas scheme and receive supplementary capitation funding at a rate of £30 per pupil. In addition, because of their disadvantaged status, the schools share the services of a disadvantaged concessionary teacher and are included in the home-school-community liaison scheme.

The operation of the current phase of the Breaking the Cycle project is being monitored by my Department's inspectorate and is being evaluated by the Educational Research Centre. A key objective of the review process is to establish the appropriateness and effectiveness of the distinct approaches to urban and rural disadvantage, which are being tested under the pilot project. The question of extending the project to additional schools will be considered in the light of experience gained in the pilot phase.

As the Deputy may be aware, I have set the tackling of educational disadvantage as a priority and will be bringing forward proposals for a major initiative to address the needs of pupils who are encountering educational disadvantage in the primary system. To this end, I am currently finalising a tailored package of resources for each school with significant concentrations of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. I will be making a further announcement in relation to this matter shortly.

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