Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 437: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the exact criteria by which primary schools are designated disadvantaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18034/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Giving Children an Even Break scheme introduced in 2001 subsumes the previous process of designation of primary schools that serve areas of educational disadvantage and my Department's approach is now refined to ensure that individual "at risk" pupils are targeted. Rather than the old method of designating additional schools, my Department provides support that is commensurate with the levels of concentration in schools of pupils with characteristics that are associated with educational disadvantage.

The levels of disadvantage were established as a result of a comprehensive survey of primary schools carried out by the Educational Research Centre in March-April 2000 at the request of my Department. The criteria considered as part of this survey were those which have been proven to have a high correlation with educational disadvantage, including employment status of pupils' parents, medical card possession, and type of housing.

The Deputy will be aware that yesterday I launched a new action plan on educational inclusion. This plan builds on the success of existing programmes while addressing the issues that have diluted the overall effectiveness of some measures. The new plan will be introduced on a phased basis starting in the next school year and will involve an additional annual investment of €40 million on full implementation. It will also involve the provision of some 300 additional posts across the education system.

A key element of this new plan is the better identification of levels of disadvantage in our schools, which will result in improved targeting of resources at those most in need. The first stage of the identification process, which is being conducted on behalf of my Department by the Educational Research Centre, is already under way. Questionnaires have issued to all mainstream primary schools and are due to be returned by close of business today. The identification process is being supported by an advisory group which includes representation from the INTO and the Irish Primary Principals Network.