Richard Bruton
Question:263 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has received for funding from Educate Together; and the provision, if any, he is making to support this organisation. [19299/97]
Written Answers. - Educate Together.
I have recently met representatives of Educate Together and discussed a number of issues with them, including the question of funding. The position is that my Department provides grant aid assistance to the respective primary school management bodies to defray costs incurred in the running of their organisations. These costs can include mail issues to boards of management, the organisation of seminars and meetings, the commissioning of research and other miscellaneous expenses.
The grant aid is allocated on the basis of the number of schools that each management body represents. In this regard, Educate Together, which represents 18 schools, received grant aid of £6,000 in 1997, an increase of £4,000 on its allocation in 1996.
I assure the Deputy that the allocation of funding to the various school management bodies will be reviewed within my Department for the coming year.