356 Mr. D. Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the process of appeal in regard to the applications made by two schools (details supplied) under the Giving Children an Even Break disadvantaged programme; if the up-to-date information supplied by these two schools was reviewed by the ERC; and the method of calculation of the points system used for inclusion in the scheme and the cut off points for inclusion. [7356/03]

The Deputy may be aware that Giving Children an Even Break was launched in 2001 to tackle educational disadvantage at primary level. Schools participating in Giving Children an Even Break are in receipt of a range of additional supports, including teacher posts and other non-teaching supports to be targeted at disadvantaged pupils. The additional supports to be provided reflect the level of concentration of pupils from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds in each school invited to participate in the programme.