asked the Minister for Education if he intends to increase the grant-in-aid to the Royal Irish Academy to enable it to clear its deficit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - RIA Grant-in-Aid.
12.
The amount provided in the 1975 Estimates for grant-in-aid to the Royal Irish Academy in respect of general expenses was £47,000. This was increased by £23,000 through Supplementary Estimates in December, 1975. A further increase of £26,100 is provided for in the current year's Estimates, bringing the academy's grant-in-aid for general expenses to £96,100 in 1976.
From the many letters he has received would the Minister not agree that there is a great danger of the Royal Irish Academy having to curtail their activities and that in such eventuality we would lose something that is very valuable in terms of our Irish culture?
I agree with the latter part of the Deputy's question but, as I indicated in my reply, we have given substantial sums during the past couple of months to this academy. These moneys should go a long way to meeting their problems.