asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the grossly inadequate allocation of £1,310 as the replacement grant for the school year 1984-85 to Árd Scoil Rís, Limerick, instead of the £6,500 sought, that it will not be possible for the school to operate effectively without the materials for which the latter sum was sought and that the school is particularly disadvantaged by this reduced allocation as it is a boys' school where a very high proportion of students follow the science subjects which call for expensive laboratory practicals; if she will review the sum allocated with a sensible and realistic upward adjustment; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Limerick School.
161.
My Department introduced a new and simplified scheme of grants for certain special subjects in secondary schools in 1985 and Árd Scoil Rís, Limerick, received a grant of £1,310. The previous grants scheme, where grants were paid in arrears, proved to be very complex and difficult to operate and was the source of many complaints from both managers and schools.
Before a new scheme could be introduced, it was first necessary to clear a backlog of claims where my Department had financial commitments to the schools concerned. Under this arrangement Árd Scoil Rís received a payment of £9,369 in May 1985. Because of the introduction of the new scheme, no claims submitted by schools in respect of school year 1984-85 were processed and therefore a commitment to payment was not made in any case.
The cost in 1985 of clearing the backlog of claims absorbed a very substantial proportion of the total relevant Estimates provision. However, with this backlog cleared, the financial position in 1986 will be much more favourable. I am also satisfied that the new system of payment will make for earlier payment and a more equitable distribution of the moneys available. I do not accept the suggestion that it will not be possible for the school to operate effectively within the existing grants scheme and I am satisfied that the amounts paid by my Department to the school authorities represent the amounts properly payable in accordance with the regulations. I am not in a position to authorise a more favourable allocation of funds in any individual case than the allocation permissible in accordance with the regulations.