asked the Minister for Education if, for the purpose of qualifying for 100 per cent. educacational building grant for a new national school, Ranafast, County Donegal, is classified as being in the Fíor-Ghaeltacht, and if the answer is in the negative, he will take immediate steps to have Ranafast classified in the same category as the adjoining townlands of Knockartoller and Dore.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Classification of Donegal Village.
Under the Department's regulations the fundamental principle governing the making of grants of more than the normal two-thirds of the cost of the erection, etc., of national schools is the economic circumstances of the district and not whether the district is or is not in the Fíor-Ghaeltacht.
While Ranafast, County Donegal, is classified as being in the Fíor-Ghaeltacht the economic circumstances are not such as to warrant the sanction by my Department of a full cost grant for the erection of a new school to replace the present school there. Agreement has been arrived at between my Department and the reverend manager as to the local contribution to be provided towards the cost of the new school.
Arising from the Minister's reply, are we to take it that Ranafast is not in the Fíor-Ghaeltacht for the purpose of qualifying for a 100 per cent. grant under this particular regulation?
The Deputy must not have listened to my answer.
I did, carefully. They still have to contribute because they are not in the Gaeltacht?