Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)

I thank the Minister for her answer. I have looked at the Question Paper and I assure her that my office did not refer to the Minister as "he". That typo happened elsewhere.

I have some supplementary questions. Many principals are concerned that, while some schools have lost disadvantaged status, others in the same feeder area have gained disadvantaged status. They cannot make sense of the process. The issue of greatest concern to principals pertains to schools which have disadvantaged status but which have not been invited to participate in DEIS. Will such schools lose their home-school-community liaison co-ordinator? Many principals are deeply concerned in that regard. What is the situation for new schools? Will they be left out? What mechanism is available to deal with them?

Many principals are concerned in respect of planning. The present school year has nearly finished and they want to know what their resources will be in order that they can plan for next year. There is talk of planning and monitoring within the school system and as the Minister is aware, schools need resources for this purpose. Will any additional resources be allocated to schools for that purpose?

Some schools which have been in receipt of funding to improve numeracy and literacy skills will have those funds withdrawn. What can be said to principals of such schools who will state they are being punished for their success and their efforts?

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