Over the past two decades the Department of Education and Science has introduced a range of specific measures to counter educational disadvantage. There were four main schemes implemented. Under these schemes, resources are provided for interventions at the level of schools, pupils, families and the wider community. In addition, as part of their ongoing educational effort, schools attempt to address the effects of disadvantage using their mainline resources and budgets. This report examines the utilisation of the specific funds devoted to combating educational disadvantage in primary schools. €61.8 million was spent to this end in the school year 2003-2004.