Vol. 544 No. 2
6 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the role of his Department in the RAPID programme; the person who will represent his Department in each of the area implementation teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28258/01]
I fully support the RAPID programme targeted at the 25 most concentrated areas of urban disadvantage in the country as there is undoubtedly a strong link between poor educational achievement and socio-economic deprivation. Under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, up to £5.35 billion will be provided for education, including social inclusion and lifelong learning measures and education infrastructure. The RAPID programme will prioritise and front-load expenditure to tackle the varying needs and priorities of each area.
While my Department, as currently structured, is not in a position at present to provide representation on each of the 25 RAPID area implementation teams, it is implementing a programme of structural reform which will in time create the capacity to participate in local and regional developments, such as the RAPID initiative.
In the meantime, I recently nominated seven senior personnel to support the work of the 14 local drugs task forces. These task forces are considered by the Government to be the initial high priority areas in view of the serious drug problems being experienced by these communities.
My Department has an extensive range of programmes for individual schools serving areas of greatest disadvantage. These include Giving Children an Even Break – the new programme for primary school pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds which incorporates schools which already have designated disadvantaged status and schools in the urban dimension of Breaking the Cycle. The stay in school retention initiative at second level in 117 schools draws on the experience of integrated services from the 8-15 early school leaver initiative. The home school community liaison scheme promotes parental collaboration with teachers in children's learning.
Does the Minister accept that education has a central role in tackling disadvantage of all kinds? In view of the fact that the Government has committed a substantial amount of money to tackling disadvantage, how can the Minister stand over the fact that his Department will not be represented on any of the implementation teams in 25 areas throughout the country? Is the Minister concerned that education will lose out in the inter-agency and comprehensive response that is spoken about in relation to the RAPID approach?
I have agreed to allow seven senior people from my Department work as part of the drugs task force.
I asked about RAPID.
That is part of the project.
No, it is separate to RAPID.
I have mentioned that I am reorganising the Department of Education and Science for that purpose as it is not currently organised on that basis.
It is disorganised.
That is the Deputy's view; many good people work in the Department of Education and Science and they do an excellent job.
I never denied that is the case.
The Deputy often talks about what a wonderful job they do, which would not be the case if they were not good people.
The Department is disorganised.
I appreciate the point. I have received industrial relations agreement for seven senior officials to work with the drugs task force. It has been welcomed as a major development.
Does the Minister accept it is a disgrace that his Department will not be represented on any of the 25 implementation teams? We are trying to tackle disadvantage in a serious way.
The Deputy should not make statements.
Is it not outrageous that there will be nobody from the Department of Education and Science on the teams? The Minister is talking about reorganising his Department, but when does he expect to be able to provide people to represent the interests of the education sector in the area of disadvantage on the RAPID teams?
The national monitoring committee will oversee the operation of the programme as a whole and will report regularly to Government. It will be composed of senior representatives of Departments, relevant agencies and the social partners. It will meet under an independent chairperson, Maureen Gaffney.
When does the Minister expect to be able to provide people for the implementation teams?
The Minister should be allowed to conclude.
I have nominated an assistant secretary to work on the committee.
It is a disgrace.
The Minister should give the House some more detail.
