asked the Minister for Education the amount spent by Gaisce, the President's award, in each year since its inception; the amounts provided for it in the Estimates for each of these years; the purposes to which money spent by Gaisce have been put; and the number of awards presented by Gaisce to date.
Written Answers. - Gaisce, the President's Award.
22.
Gaisce, the President's Award was established in May 1983 following a decision to support the creation of an award scheme for young people designed to recognise their leadership qualities, challenge them to become better citizens and contribute their talents to the community. A sum of £100,000 was provided by the then Government to assist in the start-up costs of the scheme. This involved the payment of £55,000 in 1985 and £45,000 in 1986. In 1987, following Government decisions in February and March, it was agreed that the additional operating costs of Gaisce, the President's Award would be met from the surplus proceeds of the national lottery. A sum of £168,693 has been paid in 1987 from the lottery surplus to cover liabilities incurred up to 28 February 1987. It is anticipated that the total costs to be met from the lottery in 1987, will be in the region of £310,000, but the final details on this will be announced later.
The presentation of awards to the current participants in the award programme is under consideration at the moment by the various Departments concerned.