asked the Minister for Education the grant payable for a general purposes room at Ballina Boy's national school, County Mayo; and when it will be paid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo School Grant.
30.
Mr. R. Burke
It is not the practice to disclose the amount of grant payable in respect of a national school building in any individual case. My Department is asking the Office of Public Works to arrange for payments to be made in respect of certificates presented by the manager.
The Minister has given me some information now that I did not have before. Will the Minister accept that the Rev. Manager was notified that a grant of approximately £11,000 was to be made and subsequently notified that the grant was being reduced to less than £7,000 and can the Minister now let me know what the position is and why the cut has been made?
Mr. R. Burke
It is not the custom of the Department to enter into any publicity in regard to the amounts of grants payable. I am aware personally of this case having been in Ballina and met the Rev. Manager. All I can say to the Deputy now is that there are further negotiations in regard to the matter which, I hope, will have a useful outcome.
Having met the manager is the Minister aware of the concern and anger felt by the parents of the pupils attending this school? Is he aware that they feel, because they have provided facilities over and above the statutory requirements, they are being discriminated against?
Mr. R. Burke
If the Deputy bears in mind that the expenditure to which he refers was not sanctioned by the Department he will appreciate we cannot take cognisance of such anger.
Question No. 31.
Arising out of what the Minister has said——
I am calling the next question. I have given the Deputy some latitude on this matter. A final brief supplementary.
Would the Minister accept that there is a letter from his Department sanctioning the grant of £11,000?
Mr. R. Burke
It is not customary for the Department to enter into specifics about the amount in question. As I told the Deputy the matter is being further investigated.