Under the disadvantaged areas scheme, primary schools were selected on the basis of priority of need as reflected by reference to a range of socio-economic criteria. For example, unemployment levels, medical card holding and local authority housing occupancy among the families of pupils.
It has been found that the disadvantaged areas scheme at primary level is inflexible and does not take account of different levels of need. The scheme has generally focused on schools in larger urban areas while neglecting smaller but serious pockets of disadvantage in schools in medium sized towns around the country.