I welcome the latest contribution by the Tallaght west childhood development initiative to the debate on educational disadvantage. Tackling this complex issue is one of the key priorities of my Department and some €540 million is being provided in 2004 for programmes specifically designed to tackle educational disadvantage. This includes provision for programmes at pre-school, primary and post-primary levels, as well as provision for the youth sector, further education measures and programmes designed to broaden access to third level for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. My Department has targeted resources at those most at risk of educational disadvantage in Tallaght. Under the Giving Children an Even Break programme, 13 primary schools in Tallaght have received additional teaching posts to implement reduced class sizes of 20:1 for junior classes and 27:1 for senior classes. There are six school completion programme clusters in Tallaght, encompassing six post-primary and 19 primary schools. A school completion programme co-ordinator has been appointed to work with each of these clusters. In 2004, the six clusters received a combined allocation in excess of €1.2 million. There are 18 primary and seven post-primary schools in Tallaght participating in the disadvantaged areas scheme, which benefits schools by providing over quota teaching posts, additional funding to launch book rental schemes, additional capitation grants of €38 per pupil and a home-school liaison grant to develop links with parents.
There are 17 primary and seven post-primary schools in Tallaght participating in the home school community liaison scheme. This scheme is concerned with establishing partnership and collaboration between parents and teachers in the interests of the child's learning. As part of the roll out of services of the National Educational Welfare Board, which is the national body with responsibility for school attendance, four educational welfare officers have been assigned to the Tallaght area. The Tallaght youth service has been allocated funding of €700,000 to help targeted groups, including early school leavers, young mothers and Travellers, with their self development. My Department has also provided support for second chance education in west Tallaght through the Youthreach programme, the back to education initiative and the local senior Traveller training centre.
As part of a wider system of structural reform, my Department has recently established a regional office in Tallaght. This office will help to identify education issues arising at local level, particularly gaps or overlap in social inclusion provision, and provide regular reports to my Department. This local presence will help my Department to continue to target resources at those most at risk of educational disadvantage in Tallaght.
