Vol. 326 No. 5
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the acute cash crisis at the Dominican primary schools, Ballyfermot, Dublin; the immediate relief he will give to the board of management to keep the schools open and in reasonable repair; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
199.
asked the Minister for Education if he will state in respect of the Dominican primary schools, Ballyfermot, Dublin: (a) the number of students enrolled, (b) the total capitation grant to the schools from his Department, (c) the purposes for which capitation grants are paid and (d) the estimated minimum annual cost of performing the functions of administration, repair, etc. of the management board.
200.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the closure of the Dominican primary schools in Ballyfermot, Dublin, is threatened due to lack of funds; and the action he proposes to take to prevent such an eventuality.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle it is proposed to take Questions Nos. 198 to 200, inclusive, together.
There are 1,634 pupils enrolled at present in the three national schools operated in Ballyfermot by the Dominican Order. There are 65 teachers, giving a pupil-teacher ratio of 25:1. The capitation grant, including the local contribution, available to these schools in the 1979-80 school year was calculated on the basis of £14.75 per pupil. Capitation grants must be used exclusively to meet the operating and maintenance costs of the schools.
The amount of capitation grant payable to authorities of national schools is calculated by reference to general regulations related to categories of school. It is a matter for school authorities to adjust expenditure to income and I am not authorised to make grants to individual schools other than in accordance with the published regulations.
The general rate of grant, including the local contribution, has risen from £7.50 per pupil for the 1976-77 school year to £14.75 per pupil in the 1979-80 school year. It is being further increased to £17.00 per pupil in the current school year subject to the requirement of local contribution of £4.00 per pupil, i.e., £13 from the State and a local contribution of £4.
