Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1992

Vol. 421 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Grant.

Michael Lowry

Question:

178 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reason for the undue delay in issuing payment of a grant for equipment and a sink unit to Scoil Mhuire, Portroe national school, Portroe, County Tipperary, as the work was completed in November 1991; when this cheque will issue; and if, in the event of this school proceeding with the provision of a ball court, for which a grant of 85 per cent is available from his Department he will outline the length of time the school will have to wait for payment of this grant after the date of sanction by the Office of Public Works.

Minister for Education (Mr. S. Brennan)

Grants towards the cost of furniture, a sink unit and a ballcourt at Scoil Mhuire, Portroe, County Tipperary were sanctioned by my Department in December 1991. A payable order in respect of the grant for the furniture and sink unit, which were installed prior to the grant approval, has been issued to the school authorities. Delivery of the payable order which was dated 15 May, 1992 was delayed by the postal dispute.

Grants are issued following the normal procedures of inspection and the certification by our professional advisers that the grant-aided works have been carried out satisfactorily. Payments are processed as speedily as possible taking into account the volume of cases being handled in the Department at any one time.

Tender documents prepared by the Department's professional advisers were forwarded to the school authorities to enable them to invite tenders for the ballcourt. In the event of the school proceeding with the work payment will be made as soon as possible following completion and satisfactory certification by the Department's professional advisers.