asked the Minister for Education if she will state in respect of the past three years and for each category of post-primary school: (1) the funds that have been made available to assist pupils with (a) intermediate and (b) leaving certificate examination fees; (2) the criteria that were used to allocate funds for this purpose; (3) the guidelines that were given to principals for disposing of these funds; (4) the number of pupils that were assisted and the proposition they represent of the pupils entered for (a) intermediate and (b) leaving certificate examinations; and (5) the proportion of pupils who applied for assistance who received it.
Written Answers. - Post-Primary Pupils' Assistance Funds.
582.
The reply is as follows:
(1) The funds allocated in 1983 in respect of fees for the day vocational (group), intermediate and leaving certificate examinations, 1984 were as follows:
|
Community and |
|
|
Comprehensive Schools |
£24,355 |
|
Secondary Schools |
£132,875 |
|
Vocational Schools |
£65,185 |
No funds were allocated for this purpose in previous years.
(2) and (3) The circumstances in which a reduction in the fee might be allowed and the amount of the reduction were indicated in Circular Letter S.28/83 issued to school authorities in September 1983. A copy of the circular letter follows.
(4) This information has not yet been obtained from the schools.
(5) Such information is not available.
Following is the circular letter referred to:
Department of Education
Examination Branch
Athlone
S.28/83
To School Authorities
Payment of Fees for the 1984 Certificate Examinations
With reference to the increases in fees for the Certificate Examinations announced in circular letter S.26/83, the Minister for Education wishes to inform school authorities that, in order to alleviate the effect of the increases in cases of particular hardship, the following concession will apply.
A reduction in the amount of the fee payable in the case of recognised pupils of post-primary schools may be allowed in cases of particular hardship. The amount of the reduction in the case of any pupil concerned will be determined at the discretion of the school authorities, subject to the total amount of such reductions not exceeding a specified amount notified to each school or Vocational Education Committee. This specified amount relates to the amount, if any, allocated to the school or Vocational Education Committee for the purpose of the scheme of aid towards the cost of school books in the case of necessitous pupils.
The specified amount in the case of your school/Vocational Education Committee in respect of of the 1984 Certificate Examinations is £
L. Ó LAIDHIN,
Rúnaí.
September, 1983.School Number
An Roinn Oideachais
Brainse na Scrúduithe
Baile Átha Luain
S.28/83
D'Údaráis Meánscoileanna
Íoc Táillí do Scrúduithe Teistiméireachta 1984
Maidir le na méaduithe sna táillí do na Scrúduithe Teistiméireachta a fógraíodh in imlitir S.26/83, is mian leis an Aire Oideachais a chur in iúl d'údaráis scoileanna, le go n-éadromófaí ar éifeacht na méaduithe i gcásanna a mbeadh cruatan ar leith i gceist, go ndeonófar na lamháltais seo a leanas.
Is féidir go gceadófaí laghdú i méid na táille atá iníoctha ag daltaí aitheanta iarbhunscoile i gcásanna a mbeadh cruatan ar leith i gceist. Cinnteofar méid an laghdaithe i gcás aon dalta a bheadh i gceist faoi dhiscréid na n-údarás scoile, ach gan lánmhéid laghduithe dá leithéid a bheith níos mó ná méid sonraithe a réamhfhógraítear do gach scoil ar leith agus do gach Coiste Gairmoideachais ar leith. Tá coibhneas idir an méid sonraithe sin agus an méid, más ann dó, a thugtar mar chionroinnt don scoil nó don Choiste Gairmoideachais chun críche na scéime cúnaimh i leith chostas leabhar scoile i gcás daltaí gátaracha.
Is é an méid sonraithe i gcás do scoilse/do Choiste Gairmoideachais-se, i leith scrúduithe teistiméireachta 1984 ná £
L. Ó LAIDHIN,
Rúnaí.
Meán Fómhair, 1983.Uimhir na Scoile