207 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to reduce class sizes to 15 pupils per class in Our Lady of Mercy primary school, Sligo, from the current level of 29, in view of the fact that the school is designated seriously disadvantaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12646/97]

The maximum class size of 15 pupils to which the Deputy refers is part of a special support package being made available to schools selected for inclusion in the urban element of the Breaking the Cycle initiative. The initiative was launched in response to detailed studies of educational disadvantage conducted by the Combat Poverty Agency and the Education Research Centre.