asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the northside reading group is now faced with closure due to lack of funds, which threatens to cut off completely the scheme manned by voluntary tutors and which provides service to people whose education needs must be a very high ranking priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Northside Reading Group.
114.
From inquiries made by my Department I understand that the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee recently circularised principals of its post-primary schools advising them of their budgets. Principals were also asked for their views as to how their schools' programme for 1987 would be run so that the committee might ensure that its authorised financial allocation for 1987 is not exceeded. In replying to the committee I understand that the principal of the vocational school, used by the voluntary literacy group in question for night classes, referred to the possibility of having to close the school for some nights from September next in order to maintain essential services within his approved financial allocation. His views and the views of other principals are at present under consideration by the committee but the committee have taken no decision on the matter at issue here. I also understand that the committee do not intend to reduce the amount of the grant-in-aid made annually to this group for its activities.