asked the Minister for Education why grants for 14 boys from Inishmaan, Inisheer and Finny, County Galway, has been cut.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Education Grants.
11.
I take it that the 14 boys to whom the Deputy is referring are pupils of Coláiste Einde, Galway. The position in these cases is as follows: Ten are being paid reduced grants because annual parental income is in excess of the stipulated limit. Three are being paid reduced grants pending receipt of further information regarding parental income. One has not been awarded a grant because his place of residence is within the range of the transport services operating to a suitable day centre providing free secondary education.
Do I gather that the Minister reduced the grants in the case of ten because the income of the parents was too high?
There is no question of a reduction although the scheme which was initiated in 1967-1968 with a means test, would have that effect automatically. It was not a question of I personally reducing them. Apparently the income exceeded the limit.
Is the Minister saying this figure has not been changed since 1967?
There have been quite a number of changes since then. There was a change in 1967-1968, in 1972-1973, in 1974-1975 and in 1975-1976.
In the ceiling?
Yes.
Did the Minister receive a communication from the president, Father Walsh, on this matter?
I am not aware of any such communication. It may have been received. I am aware as a result of the publicity given to the matter of the facts of the case.
Would the Minister agree that the post factum method of deciding how much grant, if any, is given is undesirable and has he put an end to it?
I am reviewing all aspects of this particular scheme. I am not in a position just at the moment to say what the outcome of this review will be.
Is the Minister in favour of the abolition of the post factum element——
Put down a question.
I would not like to say in advance of my examination what my views are.
I did not succeed in asking the question because Deputy Coogan made some remark.
Put down a question.
Order.
Is the Minister aware that the school authorities do not know until the end of the year whether or not they are getting a grant for a particular pupil and, if he is so aware, will he take steps to put an end to that situation so that the school authorities will know exactly where they stand at the beginning of the school year?
I am aware of the points made by the Deputy and I am taking them into account in the review that is taking place.