Vol. 533 No. 6
445 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in the issuing of departmental payment cheques to an Irish language school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; if he will expedite payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9641/01]
Since October 2000, my Department uses a system of electronic funds transfer to issue all non-pay grants to primary schools. Since then the school referred to by the Deputy has received total payments under this system of £39,698.80.
The grants paid to this school under this system include the first 70% of the capitation grant, a visual arts grant, curriculum – arts – grant, physical education grant, part of the minor works grant and various other grants that the school is entitled to because of its designated disadvantaged status. In fact the first 70% of the capitation grant was paid to all schools in December 2000 rather than end of January 2001, as had previously been the case, in order to assist all schools in terms of cash flow.
At this stage my Department is finalising arrangements for the payment of the PESP grant which provides additional assistance to schools to enable them to provide secretarial and caretaking services. This grant will issue to schools very shortly and the school in question will receive £12,000. Payment will be made using the electronic funds transfer system.
