andMr. Tully asked the Minister for Social Welfare what support, if any, his Department is giving to the upkeep of the school for blind boys at Drumcondra, Dublin.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Upkeep of Dublin School.
45.
My Department contribute to the upkeep of this instituion by way of annual capitation grants in respect of each blind person maintained there. These grants amounted to more than £8,000 in the financial year 1970-71.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary have information on his files as to the amount per head of the grant paid and as to the number of blind boys in the school?
I said that the amount was £8,000.
But what is the amount per head and the number of boys?
I do not seem to have that information.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary be surprised to hear that the amount being given is the smallest being given by the State to any such authority and is not nearly sufficient to maintain the boys? If it were not for the fact that they were getting money by way of collections on the streets and by way of donations from charitable persons it would be impossible to maintain them. Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider the matter and see if anything can be done to effect an improvement?
Yes, I will.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary, within the coming year, see if anything could be done to increase the amount being given to the school?
Undoubtedly, the Minister will examine the matter.