asked the Minister for Education how many local authorities, listing them, have reached the permitted maximum of 2/- in the pound for expenses of vocational education committees.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Financing Vocational Education.
37.
Mr. O'Malley
The following ten local authorities have reached the permitted maximum of 2/- in the pound: Towns of Tralee and Wexford. Counties of Carlow, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Laois, Longford, Offaly and Tipperary (North).
38.
asked the Minister for Education if he has any further schemes in mind whereby local authorities, who have reached the maximum permitted rate for vocational education purposes, can further supplement funds for further vocational education schemes or expansions.
Mr. O'Malley
In the matter of contributing towards the revenue accounts of vocational education committees, the local rating authorities are precluded under present legislation from making a greater contribution than 2/- in the pound.
In the matter of capital funds for expansion of school facilities, there is no statutory limitation on the amount of money which local rating authorities may make available to vocational education committees by way of grant under section 51 of the Act of 1930.
39.
asked the Minister for Education (a) how it is proposed to enable county councils or borough councils to make increased contributions towards the expenses of vocational education committees if they have already reached the permitted maximum rate of 2/- in the pound under the 1962 Act; (b) if he, on further reflection, is prepared to reconsider his answer to Question No. 95 of 12th October, 1966 in which he indicated he did not propose amending the 1962 Act; and if he is now prepared to introduce amending legislation.
Mr. O'Malley
In regard to section (a) of this question, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 38.
In regard to section (b), I indicated in my answer of 12th October, 1966, that consideration was being given to the question of introducing amending legislation. It is not proposed to introduce such legislation in the present session.
Is it intended that this legislation should be introduced so as to enable the authorities to do something before the striking of the rate next year?
Mr. O'Malley
A decision will certainly be arrived at whereby further developments of local vocational education committees will not be held up for lack of money.
How soon will this take place?
Mr. O'Malley
They all have to have their submissions into the Department by 1st December. Then we examine them.
40.
asked the Minister for Education what financial provisions he has in mind to implement his intention of making further vocational education facilities available in areas where the local authority has already reached the permitted maximum under the 1962 Act which limited the contribution to 2/- in the pound.
Mr. O'Malley
Until such time as the financial schemes of education committees are received next month and are considered in connection with my Department's estimates, it is not possible to say what provision for further vocational educational facilities will be made for the financial year 1967-68 in the case of the areas referred to in the Deputy's question.
May I take it the Minister will consider this most sympathetically so as to ensure that this expansion can take place next year?
Mr. O'Malley
Yes.
Another load on the poor farmers.