Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the main points of the proposals to combat educational disadvantage which she outlined to the INTO conference; when recruitment will commence for the new posts; when the new posts will be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12999/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I will shortly publish a new framework for tackling disadvantage in education. The new action plan will build on the success of existing programmes, while addressing the issues that have diluted the overall effectiveness of some measures.

The new approach to tackling disadvantage will include better identification of levels of disadvantage in our schools and a single integrated programme of supports for schools with concentrated levels of disadvantage which will bring together, and build upon, some ten existing schemes and initiatives. Each school in the programme will benefit from a package of supports, with the highest level of assistance being targeted at children in the most disadvantaged schools. To make sure that it is effectively implemented, the new framework will be introduced on a phased basis, starting in the next school year.