asked the Minister for Education whether £65,165 was originally invested under the terms of the Erasmus Smith Schools Act, 1941; and if he will indicate the present value of the balance of this fund.
228.
Written Answers. - Erasmus Smith Schools Act, 1941.
227.
asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position regarding the Erasmus Smith Schools Act, 1941, in relation to the Abbey School CBS, Tipperary town.
229.
asked the Minister for Education if he will give details of the disposal of the income accruing from the terms of the Erasmus Smith Schools Act, 1941, since the inception of the fund, in relation to the Abbey School CBS, Tipperary town.
230.
asked the Minister for Education if he will confirm that no moneys have been paid from the unexpended balances of the Erasmus Smith Trust Funds since 1971-1972; and if so, if some funds are now available from accumulated balances to be applied appropriately.
231.
asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position regarding the Erasmus Smith Trust Funds, as no funds from this trust scheme have been used for the provision of scholarships since free post-primary education and higher education grants were introduced.
232.
asked the Minister for Education whether the unexpended balance of the Erasmus Smith Trust Funds, if any, could now be used to fund, fully or partially, higher education scholarships for pupils in the Abbey School CBS, Tipperary, who do not otherwise qualify for grants.
233.
asked the Minister for Education if the scheme for the provision of certain scholarships under the Erasmus Smith Trust Funds has been revised; if not, if it is under consideration and when a decision is likely to be made.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 to 233, inclusive, together.
Under the Erasmus Smith Schools Act Scheme 1941, which was adopted on 2 July 1942, under the Erasmus Smith Schools Act, 1938 (No. 1 (Private) of 1938), a charity was established, of which the Minister for Education is trustee, to be used, inter alia, for the benefit of the Abbey School, Tipperary.
The property of the charity, at its inception on 2 July 1942, comprised the Abbey School and lands attached thereto or used therewith, and securities and cash amounting to £72,340. The accumulated balance on 30 November, 1986 was £312,934, comprised of securities amounting to £305,927 and cash for investment of £7,007.
Moneys are available, therefore, to be applied within the terms of the trusts of the charity.
A sum of £21,000 was paid in the financial year 1953-54 towards the cost of the reconstruction of the Abbey School. In addition, certain supplementary payments totalling £10,183 were made by the Minister from unexpended balances towards building and other costs incurred by the authorities of the Abbey School over the years 1953-54. The Minister is also empowered to pay an annual subsidy, not exceeding £580, towards the cost and expenses of carrying on and maintaining special agricultural teaching and training in the school and this has been paid each year since the school year 1942-43 through 1985-86. The subsidy for the current year has not yet been paid. Arrangements are in train for the revision of the scheme to take account of changed circumstances. It is not possible to say, at this stage, when the legal formalities will be completed.
The scholarships payable under the terms of the existing scheme were tenable only at schools providing secondary education. With the introduction of free post-primary education and various schemes of grants for higher education students, the provision in the scheme for the award of certain scholarships is no longer considered necessary. Neither is it considered that provision in the amended scheme for the establishment of higher education scholarships for pupils in the Abbey School, who do not otherwise qualify for grants would be appropriate.