asked the Minister for Education if he will state in respect of what secondary schools, as distinct from comprehensive schools, grants have been paid towards the building costs, and the amounts of such grants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Building Grants.
43.
In 21 cases a grant has been sanctioned and final approval for building has been given.
In these cases the repayment of loans has not yet commenced and therefore the payment of grants has not yet commenced since the scheme consists of meeting up to 60 per cent of the repayments, both capital and interest, on loans obtained by managers towards the cost of building.
Am I to understand that, of the 70 secondary schools built or commenced since the introduction of this scheme, not a brass farthing has been paid by the State towards the cost?
If the Deputy means has the State paid anything towards the cost of these buildings before the work was commenced or before the repayment of the loan was commenced, the answer is that the State has not done so because the scheme was not so framed. There are a number of cases where building has taken place under this scheme and where the buildings are at present occupied. The only reason a grant has not been paid in these cases is that the managers of these schools have not yet commenced repayment of the loans they have taken on.
Is it that they are not able to pay, or what is the reason?
There is an arrangement for repayment which starts after the school is built, and so on. That stage has not been reached in any of these cases. Some of them are very close to it.
In my original question——
This is becoming a debate.
This is only my second supplementary question. I asked the Minister to indicate the schools in respect of which grants had been paid. I appreciate why they have not been paid. Would the Minister be good enough to give me a list of the schools approved for payment of grant?
I should have to consider whether it is appropriate, having regard to the fact that the schools in question are private institutions.
Is the Minister afraid of academic jealousy?
Is the main problem not that they cannot get accommodation of any sort and therefore cannot get on with the building?
I mentioned that they are occupied.
A small number.