asked the Minister for Education the total grant payable to pupils attending Protestant secondary schools in County Donegal in each of the years 1967-68, 1968-69 and 1969-70.
75.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal School Grants.
74.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that grants payable to pupils attending Protestant secondary schools in County Donegal have been substantially reduced and in many cases withdrawn completely; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 75 together. The administration of the block grant allocated by my Department in respect of Protestant post-primary pupils is left entirely to the Secondary Education Commission for Protestant Schools. My Department does not, therefore, have any records of the grants paid in individual cases or of the amount allocated by the commission to any particular area.
I asked the Minister to confirm or deny that some families who were receiving 100 per cent grant in 1967 and 50 per cent grant in 1968 got no grant this year.
The allocation of these grants is left to the commission. Last year the amount made available for these grants was increased by £38,500. I cannot understand how what the Deputy said would be correct unless there was a considerable change in the means of the people concerned.
If I give the details to the Minister, will he look into the matter?
This money is granted en bloc to the commission. They deal with it. I cannot take responsibility. I will pass the Deputy's remarks over to the commission.
If I give the Minister the names of five families whom I know are involved, will he explain to them why it is the case?
No. I will pass on the information. I cannot comment on the matter.
It is nice to have one Minister who will listen.