asked the Minister for Education if he intends to make special grants for educational purposes available to families living on the Shannon-Fergus Estuary islands; and, if so, the amounts of the grants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Island Educational Grants.
95.
Mr. R. Burke
The only case which has come specifically to the attention of my Department in this regard is that of children of primary school age whose homes are on those islands.
My Department is prepared to pay a grant at the rate of £3 per school-week towards the cost of their maintenance on the mainland so as to enable them to attend school.
There is provision in the free post-primary education scheme whereby island children and children whose homes are outside the range of the public transport services are eligible to receive special assistance towards boarding school fees.
The amount of assistance is calculated as follows:
(a) a supplemental grant at the rate of £30 per pupil per annum towards the tuition element of the boarding school fees;
(b) an allowance in aid of maintenance at the rate of £70 per pupil per annum;
(c) an additional allowance not exceeding £65 per annum in aid of maintenance in the case of a necessitous child.
Such children if they are staying in lodgings while attending a day school which is providing free education for day pupils are eligible to receive a maintenance allowance of £70 per annum and of £135 if the pupil is necessitous.
Due to the particularly difficult circumstances in which the islanders have to live, will the Minister consider making a special investigation of the problems of getting boats in and out to the island referred to in the question?
Mr. R. Burke
The question probably arose in relation to Horse Island in the Shannon Estuary. The question of providing transport to the nearest national school was investigated and it transpired that it was not feasible to establish a suitable boat service to convey the children to the school on the mainland.
I would ask the Minister to make a further investigation due to the fact that the children are reaching an age which is older than those who attend the national school on the mainland. Due to the fact that there is no proper berthage on this island the Minister should make an investigation with a view to facilitating islanders whose children, up to this, have not had equal facilities with the children attending schools on the mainland.
Mr. R. Burke
I am advised that the only solution is to have the children of school-going age boarded with families on the mainland. However, arising out of what the Deputy has said, I will look into the matter.
Is there any necessity to have the Department of Lands or the Department of Education? They have been told that they are doing gradually what whoever is in charge tells them. That is Lands, No. 1, and now it is a case of Education.
The Deputy is making a statement.
I am not making a statement. I am making a small pertinent inquiry. The question is very simple. I firmly believe there is no necessity at all for the Department of Lands or the Department of Education.
The Deputy is making a statement.
Would the Minister have readily available any information about the use that is being made of these grants for island children?
Mr. R. Burke
I have not got that information but, if the Deputy asks a specific question, I will try to get it for him.
I was just wondering how the scheme is working.