asked the Minister for Education if he will state (a) the fees paid, and the basis on which they are calculated, for the teaching of cookery and laundry work in primary schools, and (b) whether these fees have not been increased since 1939; and, if so, whether in view of the rise in the price of materials used in the teaching of these subjects, he will consider making a corresponding increase in the fees.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fees for Teaching Cookery and Laundry Work.
Special grants are payable, subject to certain specified conditions, in respect of the instruction of girl pupils of national schools in cookery, laundry work or domestic economy. The expenditure on equipment for these branches is a first charge on the total amount of the grant payable in respect of the instruction and is paid to the person (manager or teacher) by whom this expenditure is incurred. The balance of the total grant is paid to the teaching staff. The grant is calculated at the rate of 8/6, plus 5 per cent. in respect of each girl in whose case the specified conditions are fulfilled. The present rate of grant has been in operation since the 1st April, 1938. I regret I am not in a position at this stage to consider increasing the rate of grant.