Vol. 550 No. 2
600 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will formally acknowledge the win of the Irish Schools' Debating Council at a competition in Singapore; if it submits an application for funding for the 2003 debating competition, he will ensure it is provided with maximum funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7818/02]
I have already written to the Irish Schools' Debating Council congratulating the coach and the team on their tremendous achievement as the winners of the recent World School Debating Championships in Singapore. A grant of €9,523 was made available to the Irish Schools' Debating Council as a contribution towards the cost of participation in the 2002 World Schools Debating Championships. This brought to €35,362 the contribution made by my Department since 1997. As in previous years, any application received from the council will be given careful consideration on the basis of the amount of funding sought for the event and the funds available in my Department for such purposes.
