asked the Minister for Education if he will state the reasons for the delay, this year, in the payment of heating and cleaning grants to managers of primary schools; if he will arrange for the immediate despatch of those grants; and further, if, in view of the increased costs of fuel, etc., he will consider having such grants increased.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Schools' Heating and Cleaning Grants.
The grants in respect of the heating and cleaning of national schools are not payable before the 31st March in any year and are paid following the receipt of application forms from the managers. A delay in the printing of the application forms for the year ended 31st March, 1947, was responsible for the issue of these forms to the managers at a later date than usual. Payment of the grants will be made as soon as possible after the receipt of the completed forms from the managers.
The grants payable to managers in recoupment of expenditure incurred in the heating of national schools have been increased in view of the increased cost of fuel. This increase is operative in respect of the year ended 31st March, 1947.