The programme for Government identifies the need for the establishment of a new schools excellence fund. Can the Minister advise me on the progress that has been made in respect of this Government priority? What new approaches to learning are being rewarded by the Minister's Department?

We have implemented changes in areas of disadvantage for the first time by using this approach. With the disadvantaged schools, we will be encouraging clusters of schools to develop programmes together that would achieve better approaches to teaching and to developing relationships with agencies in the public service and beyond to improve the delivery for children in disadvantaged areas. We have also introduced a call for higher education to open up new pathways for people with a disadvantage to participate at third level. Therefore, we are trying to use innovative funding mechanisms to get institutions to think a little beyond their own approaches in order to build partnerships to deliver better in the area of education.