Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Technology Grant.

Noel Ahern

Question:

150 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education if, in relation to St. Vincent's Secondary School, Glasnevin, and previous parliamentary questions on the request for a grant for the new technology extension, she will give details of other schools which are seeking a retrospective grant and the amount of resources involved in each case; the schools which were placed on the pilot list for technology facilities; the number of schools on the list that have progressed with the facilities; the number that have received grants or have been refused; and the position with the grant application for £40,000 for the provision of hardware and furnishing for the technology room.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

A fundamental requirement of the secondary schools building grant scheme is that to qualify for captial grant assistance from my Department in respect of any development the prior written approval of the Department must be obtained for that development. This requirement was not complied with by St. Vincent's Secondary School, Glasnevin in respect of the technology extension provided at the school. My Department has no funds available for the payment of what is in effect a retrospective grant.

A total of 173 schools, including St. Vincent's applied for and were paid the standard grant of £5,000 each for the purpose of assisting the introduction of junior technology within the existing resources available to them.

With regard to the request for a grant of £40,000 for the provision of hardware and furnishings at St. Vincent's the position remains as stated in reply to Question No. 128 from Deputy Gregory on 17 February last.