Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2004
259 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if all grant commitments made to various second level schools throughout the country towards the encouragement of sciences in the junior syllabus have been met to date; if not, the reason therefore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14654/04]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that an initial grant of €3,500 per junior science laboratory was paid at the end of January 2004 to all schools in the free education scheme which opted to provide the revised syllabus from 2003-04. This reflected the total amount due in respect of schools which had received a substantial capital investment since 1995 either by way of a new building, extension or upgraded laboratory, whose resources were considered adequate to deliver the pre-existing syllabus.
Schools, which did not receive a major capital investment since 1995 and whose resources were not adequate to deliver the pre-existing syllabus, were paid an enhanced grant in April 2004 based on overall needs identified through completion of an indicative resource list. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in excess of €10 million has been paid out to date in respect of the junior science initiative.
