Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Wexford in which the loss of a rural co-ordinator will have a very serious impact on the most disadvantaged pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12629/11]

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Wexford in which the loss of a rural co-ordinator will have a serious impact on the most disadvantaged pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12635/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 139 together.

The decision to remove the Rural Coordinator Service from 331 rural DEIS schools was a measure taken by the last Fianna Fail - Green Party Government to secure some €24 million in savings in the 2011/2012 school year. The service will therefore be discontinued with effect from 31 August 2011.

I do not intend to revisit the decision of the previous Government to withdraw rural coordinator posts. The Deputy will understand that Ireland is effectively now in economic receivership because of the disastrous legacy of the last Government. The requirements to make expenditure savings and to ensure that staffing numbers remain within the Public Service Employment Control Framework prevent me from re-visiting this decision.

This measure will not affect the provision of HSCL services which remain in 200 post primary and 345 urban primary participating in DEIS. DEIS rural primary schools will continue to receive the following supports: - additional capitation funding based on level of disadvantage .- additional funding for schools books. - access to the School Meals Programme. - access to numeracy/literacy supports and measures. - access to planning supports. - access to a range of professional development supports.

The set of measures included in the National Recovery Plan 2011 to 2014 impacts on every sector of the public service and will unquestionably lead to significant challenges for schools as well as my Department in the coming years. The major challenge will undoubtedly be to seek improved outcomes for children with fewer resources.