Vol. 495 No. 1
429 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the claim that the IT2000 programme treats different religious schools in a discriminatory manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19653/98]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the question of the eligibility of different categories of school for receipt of grant aid under the technology integration initiative (TII) element of the Schools IT 2000 programme which is funded entirely through the Exchequer. Each eligible first and second level school received a basic grant of £2,000 plus £5 per pupil in May of this year, with top-up amounts being provided in the case both of ordinary schools with special classes and special schools.
The schools deemed eligible for grant aid were all recognised primary schools and all second-level schools recognised for grant purposes under the free education scheme.
The manner in which the funding under the initiative was allocated to second-level schools is consistent with the way these schools are funded by my Department for other purposes. Fee charging schools do not receive the per capita and other grants to which schools in the free education scheme are entitled. Special arrangements are in place to cater for pupils wishing to be educated in schools with a Protestant ethos, all of which are fee charging. These schools are eligible for all grants payable to schools in the free education scheme with the exception of the per capita grant. Accordingly, these schools were also considered eligible for assistance under the technology integration initiative.
