Vol. 567 No. 1
246 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department is reviewing the Giving Children an Even Break programme; if this is giving rise to a reduction in support for schools participating in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13587/03]
Some 2,350 primary schools partici pating in Giving Children an Even Break are receiving a range of additional supports including teacher posts and financial funding to be targeted at disadvantaged pupils. The additional supports provided reflect the level of concentration of pupils from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds in each school invited to participate in the programme, following the outcome of a survey carried out by the Education Centre, Drumcondra, on my Department's behalf.
The programme is operating for three years to the end of the school year 2003-04. Its future will be determined in the light of the outcome of a review of the programme and in the context of a broader review of the range of initiatives to address educational disadvantage.
