asked the Minister for Education the annual rate of State grant for heating and cleaning national schools catering for (a) 100 pupils, (b) 250 pupils and (c) 500 pupils; and on what basis these are computed.
47.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Cleaning and Heating Grants.
46.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the inadequacy of the present rate of heating and cleaning grants for national schools; when they were last increased; and if it is proposed to increase them in the near future.
I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, to take Question Nos. 46 and 47 together. I am having a table circulated with the Official Report showing the present rates of grant for the heating and cleaning of national schools. The last increase in these grants became operative in the year 1958/59. No further increase in them is at present contemplated.
RATES OF GRANT FOR THE HEATING AND CLEANING OF NATIONAL SCHOOLS.
A. CLASSIFICATION SCHOOLS.
|
Category of school |
Heating |
Cleaning, etc. |
Total |
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
One teacher school |
8 |
8 |
16 |
|
Two ,, ,, |
15 |
13 |
28 |
|
Three ,, ,, |
21 |
16 |
37 |
|
Four ,, ,, |
27 |
19 |
46 |
and so forth, allowing for every additional teacher on the recognised staff an additional £6 for heating and £3 for cleaning, etc.
B. CAPITATION SCHOOLS.
|
Category of School |
Heating |
Cleaning, etc. |
Total |
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
Under 35 av. attendance |
12 |
10 |
22 |
|
35-94 ,, ,, |
18 |
15 |
33 |
|
95-139 ,, ,, |
25 |
20 |
45 |
|
140-184 ,, ,, |
31 |
24 |
55 |
|
185-229 ,, ,, |
36 |
28 |
64 |
|
230-299 ,, ,, |
44 |
34 |
78 |
|
300-399 ,, ,, |
59 |
42 |
101 |
and so forth, allowing for every additional 100 pupils in the scale of average attendance, an additional £15 for heating and £8 for cleaning, etc.
These grants are subject to a maximum of 50 per cent. of the total cost.
Will the Minister say whether schools catering for 500 pupils will receive a grant of less than £60 per year and no more?
The classification schools are categorised by the number of teachers and the capitation schools by the attendance. As to the figure which the Deputy gives, the grant which I give is subject to a maximum of 50 per cent. of the total cost.
Would the Minister be so good as to say what is the grant in capitation schools where the average attendance is 500 pupils?
The total grant for a school with an average attendance of 300 to 399 would be £101, and for every additional 100 pupils in average attendance, an additional £15 for heating and £8 for cleaning, etc. It is a lot more than the Deputy thought.
I am afraid the Minister's blue book must be somewhat out of date. Is the Minister aware that in the case of one County Dublin national school, children were sent home recently during the cold weather because of lack of firing to heat the place? Does he consider he has any responsibility in cases such as that?
I was not aware of that case and I would accept responsibility for dealing with it if the Deputy would accept the responsibility of telling me about it.
I shall be glad to send details of the case to the Minister.