asked the Minister for Education if he is aware (a) that the Schools Scientific Education Trust has been succeeded in collecting only £36,000 for improving the facilities for teaching science in Irish secondary schools, and (b) that the Trust has received applications from secondary schools for equipment urgently needed to a value of approximately £200,000; and, if so, if he has any proposals to supplement the work of the Trust by making State grants available for its objects.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Science Teaching in Secondary Schools.
45.
I have seen in newspaper reports that the Schools Scientific Education Trust has succeeded in collecting only £36,000 but I am not aware of the amount of money involved in applications the Trust has received from secondary schools.
I would, however, point out that for many years the Department of Education has, in addition to the normal capitation grants, been providing laboratory grants for the teaching of science in secondary schools. In the current financial year a total of £72,500 has been voted for that purpose, of which sum approximately £41,500 comprises grants for science teaching equipment and £31 000 grants for Domestic Science and Manual Instruction teaching equipment.
The provision of further assistance for the teaching of science is under consideration by my Department.