asked the Minister for Education if he will state on what basis is the State grant towards the cost of heating of national schools computed; if he is aware that the increased cost of fuel has prevented the adequate heating of class-rooms; and if he will increase the grant accordingly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Heating of National Schools.
State grants of an amount equal to one-half of the certified aid in cash or kind contributed by local parties towards the cost of heating national schools are payable to managers subject in each case to a maximum limitation, dependent on the average daily attendance of pupils at the school. The value of the fuel supplied by local parties for which no cash payment is made is accepted for the purpose of determining the amount of the State grant subject to the proviso that the total amount of the grant may not exceed the total amount of the cash expenditure incurred on the heating and cleaning of the school. I am sending the Deputy a copy of the actual scale of grants payable.
Representations recently made to me with regard to the issue raised in the second part of the Deputy's question are receiving consideration at the moment.
Is the Minister aware that some schools in the City of Dublin are at present without firing because of the increased cost, that their allowance for a month is used up in a week? Will he do something to remedy that?
I am not aware that the scarcity of fuel is due entirely to the cost. I think it is possibly due to the fact that there is an actual physical scarcity of fuel in the city at present suitable, for example, for central heating. The whole matter is being inquired into at present.
Mr. Byrne
It is not a question of central heating, but of the small fire-grates in some of the out-of-date schools which can burn turf and blocks. They are not able to warm the schools. Will the Minister do something to speed up the remedying of that situation?
I have already informed the Deputy that the matter of the grants available for the purpose is being inquired into and I am in touch with the managers of the schools who are the authorities with which the Department of Education deals in matters referring to schools.
Mr. Byrne
Meantime the children are cold. I ask the Minister to speed it up.