asked the Minister for Education if he will arrange with the Minister for Local Government that all rates paid by second-level schools will be refunded from central funds to the school authorities concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Rates Refund.
20.
Mr. R. Burke
Rates paid by second level schools form part of their general expenses towards which the State contributes by way of grants. These grants have been increased very substantially in the current year. A further State contribution in the way suggested by the Deputy would not be feasible in present circumstances.
The Minister says that the schools got increased grants but he must admit—and I think he has admitted—that they are inadequate. Some of these schools may have to close because of a lack of funds. In a last effort to keep them open, will the Minister make some arrangement with the Minister for Local Government to refund to these schools any rates paid during the year?
Mr. R. Burke
The amount of money made available by this Government in my recent announcement is greater than any previous contribution by the Administration which the Deputy has supported. I should like to draw public attention to the fact that not only have we increased the grants but we have also assured voluntary secondary schools of a viable future which they did not have under the previous Administration.
Surely it is an inadequate and insipid reply for the Minister to state that they are getting more money now than they ever got before. They have also got a higher rate of inflation. If we are to have an extension of secondary education we must invest more money in it. There is no use in marking time. That is not good enough.
The Deputy is making a speech.
We must ensure that children who have the ability to avail of secondary education and who wish to do so have it available to them. The Minister's policy is denying educational rights to thousands of children.
It is not in order to make a speech at Question Time.
Mr. R. Burke
I will refrain from replying.
Would the Minister not agree that a grant provided by the Fianna Fáil Government of from nought to £30 is higher than anything he has provided so far?
Mr. R. Burke
Would the Deputy like to indicate to the House by what amounts the original grants——
Work out from nought to £30 in percentages.
Mr. R. Burke
How does the Deputy account for the fact that over a five-year period only £5 was added to the grants in lieu of tuition fees?
It started at nought and went up to £30 in a very short time as the Minister well knows.
Mr. R. Burke
I should like to emphasise the fact that the recent increases are the most generous ever given to secondary schools and have been recognised as such by objective observers.
Tell us the one about the three bears.