Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 3

Written Answers. - Teachers' Travel Expenses.

Ulick Burke

Question:

328 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide assistance for travel and maintenance to a person (details supplied) who has been invited to present a report on her research on the influence of oral language on the teaching of writing in Irish primary schools at the 17th World Congress of International Reading Association in Jamaica in July 1998, in view of the fact that the paper is very relevant in the Irish context and merits financial support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4151/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

This matter was considered by the research and development committee of my Department on 23 January 1998. The application involved a request for funding in respect of attendance at the 17th World Congress of the International Reading Association in Jamaica, July 1998, for the purpose of delivering a research paper on the teaching of writing in Irish primary schools.

The research on which this paper is based was not itself the subject of a funding application to the Department's research and development committee. Requests to the committee for funding of travel expenses in connection with the presentation of papers which are independent of applications for research funding cannot be considered. This decision was communicated to the applicant on 26 January 1998.