Vol. 439 No. 3
141 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education if her Department operates any scheme of financial assistance to primary schools outside the disadvantaged areas to meet the cost of additional educational equipment such as computers; and if not, if she will consider introducing such a scheme.
My Department has from time to time operated a number of specific schemes in order to help primary schools meet the cost of equipment. For instance a scheme in relation to audio visual aids operated for a number of years up to 1991.
My Department has also provided grants towards the purchase of computers for the use of pupils with physical disabilities/communications disorders in ordinary national schools. However in the ordinary course, the purchase of educational equipment such as computers forms a charge on general school operational costs.
The scheme of capitation grants is designed to assist schools with their general operational costs. The Deputy will be aware that I have made significant improvements in these grants over the last two years increasing the per capita amount by over 35 per cent from £28 to £38.
142 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the delays in paying secretarial allowance and caretakers remuneration under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to primary schools; and if she will have arrangements made to make these payments quarterly in advance in future.
I am aware that there has been some administrative delay in making payments due at this time under the scheme of additional capitation grants payable to schools for the provision of caretaking and secretarial services. Arrangements are being made to expedite the issue of these grants. The delay in payment of the grants is regretted.
In accordance with the Department's regulations for funding primary schools, these capitation based grants are paid to the boards of management twice yearly in advance. I have no plans to change these existing arrangements.
