asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the increased cost of living, he will consider increasing Gaeltacht scholarships to students entering secondary schools, as there are only 18 such scholarships granted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gaeltacht Scholarships.
Under the terms of the scholarship scheme the State pays the school fees of the scholarship holders and in addition makes a grant towards travelling expenses, cost of outfit, etc. The maximum amounts payable by way of school fees are £65 in respect of a boy and £60 in respect of a girl, and the grant towards cost of outfit, etc., amounts to £30 in the first year and £20 in each succeeding year. The rates were revised in 1949 and it is not proposed to make any further revision at present.
Is the Minister aware that a student travelling from the Donegal Gaeltacht to one of the Galway colleges pays out practically the entire £30 in travelling expenses and has nothing left for clothes? In view of that would he reconsider his decision?