Vol. 537 No. 4
178 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the operation of the home-school liaison scheme; the number of schools which have a teacher under this scheme; the number which are sharing the services of a teacher; and his plans for the further development of this service. [16474/01]
The home-school community liaison scheme was established in 1990 and is a key element in my Department's strategy to combat educational disadvantage. Under this scheme, co-ordinators are assigned to schools in disadvantaged areas to work with school staff, parents and relevant community agencies in advancing the educational interests of children. A national co-ordinator oversees the day-to-day operation of the scheme and promotes its development with the help of two assistant national co-ordinators.
At present, there are 176 co-ordinators serving the 311 primary schools that are included in the home school community liaison scheme. Of these, 57 primary schools have their own co-ordinators and the remaining 254 schools share co-ordinators with other schools.
The home-school community liaison scheme was last expanded in September 1999. This expansion included any remaining schools designated as disadvantaged that did not have a home-school community liaison service. There are no plans at present to further expand the home-school community liaison scheme at primary level.
At second level, 211 second level schools that are designated as disadvantaged have been invited to participate in home-school community liaison scheme and have been allocated additional teaching resources to facilitate their participation. There are no plans at present to further extend the home-school community liaison scheme at second level.
