asked the Minister for Education whether he received representations that the capitation grant payable to the Monastery Schools, Ferrybank, Clonmel, and similar schools at Upton and elsewhere is inadequate; whether he will state the date on which the present sum was originally fixed; whether he has taken any action to secure an increased grant, reasonably adequate to the needs of these schools; whether he is aware that, because of the inadequacy of the capitation grant, tradesmen employed by the Clonmel School are paid £2 a week and upwards less than the local town rate, and that the school authorities are unable to pay those men a better wage because the payments made to them by his Department do not permit them to do so; and whether he is now in a position to state when the capitation grant will be suitably increased.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Capitation Grant.
Mr. Corish
I assume that this question refers only to those monastery schools which are certified industrial schools. The present combined capitation grant paid to these schools by the State and the responsible local authorities is at the rate of 15/- per week; this rate was brought into operation as from 1st October, 1942. An additional capitation grant at the rate of 1/- per week to defray the expense of building repairs and equipment was introduced as from 1st October, 1946, but owing to the conditions attached thereto this grant has not been availed of by a few schools, including the two mentioned in the question.
Arrangements have also been made under which my Department has accepted responsibility for the payment of the salaries of the ordinary teachers (as distinct from trades' teachers) employed in these schools. Prior to 1st April, 1941, the managers of the schools had to pay these salaries; between that date and 1st April, 1946, part of the cost was refunded by the Department and since the latter date these teachers are paid by the Department on the same basis as teachers in national schools.
Representations were made to me by the Association of Resident Managers of Reformatory and Industrial Schools that the present incomes were not sufficient to defray the increasing cost of maintaining the schools, and asking that the grant should be increased. In order that their claim might be properly considered the manager of each school (there are 55 of them) was asked to furnish a return of receipts and expenses for the year ended on 31st March last. These returns have been received and examined in my Department, and while they reveal a considerable difference in the expenses of comparable schools they have satisfied me that an increase in the present rate of grant is desirable. I have arranged, therefore, to increase grants payable both by the State and the local authorities, and an early announcement will be made to the managers on the subject. The increase in the State grant will apply as from 1st January next, and in the local authorities' grant as from 1st April next.
I am not in a position to confirm or deny the reference in the question to the wages of tradesmen employed at the school mentioned, and I suggest that this is a matter for arrangement with those directly concerned.
Will the Minister say why, in view of the fact that the figures supplied to him were in respect of the past fees payable to such schools, he proposes that these increases will take place only from the 1st January next in relation to the State fees and the 1st April next in relation to moneys received from the ratepayers?
The accounts submitted by the schools have been carefully examined. As I indicated, there is a considerable difference in the circumstances of schools which would seem to be comparable. All the considerations were taken into account in coming to this decision.
Does the Minister not understand that it was the condition of the schools financially at present and in recent years that brought him to the conclusion that increased grants are necessary? Does he not realise that some of the schools have suffered considerable hardship during the past few years? Why does he date the giving of additional financial assistance as the 1st January next year for State grants and the 1st April next year for local grants? Has the Minister considered the difficulties under which these schools were labouring and is the conviction that has been brought home to him that they were inadequately financed a conviction brought home to him from the conditions that existed prior to to-day?
The statement of accounts dealt with the entire year to which I have alluded. Some of the schools are worse off financially than others. We have to take into account the circumstances of all the schools in this matter.
Do I understand that the Minister is treating all these schools on a flat basis?
Yes.