Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 2003

Vol. 560 No. 1

Written Answers. - Asylum Seekers.

Denis Naughten

Question:

510 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the payments and allowances made by his Department to asylum seekers; the reason for such a payment; the maximum allowance made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1966/03]

Denis Naughten

Question:

511 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the payments and allowances made by his Department to persons granted asylum; the reason for such a payment; the maximum allowance made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1970/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 511 together.

My Department does not make any payments or allowances directly to individual asylum seekers. My Department does however operate a grant system to primary schools to ensure that there is appropriate educational provision in place for non-English speaking pupils. Primary schools in which between three and 13, inclusive, non-English speaking non-national pupils are enrolled receive grant assistance. Schools with between three and eight such pupils receive grant assistance in the amount of €6,348.69 while schools with between nine and 13 receive grant assistance in the amount of €9,523.04. This grant aid is designed to enable schools to take measures to improve the standard of English of non-national pupils with significant English language deficits. All non-national pupils, who are validly enrolled, are included in the total enrolment of a school for the purpose of capitation grants and other grants on the same basis as Irish pupils.