asked the Minister for Education when the last increase was granted in the amount allowed for the heating and cleaning of national schools; what was the size of such increase; what is the present annual allowance for this purpose for each school; and if any increase in these grants will be made in the near future.
Ceisteanna — Questions Oral Answers. - Cleaning and Heating of Schools.
41.
The last increase in these grants was made in the school year 1963-64. The average increase in grant per school was 66 per cent. A further increase in these grants is not at present contemplated.
As the information in relation to the present rates of grant is in tabular form, I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, to have it circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the information:
HEATING AND CLEANING OF NATIONAL SCHOOLS.
RATES OF GRANT.
HEATING.
|
Size of School (Number of Teachers) |
Heating System |
||
|
Low Pressure Hot Water |
Electric Thermal Storage |
Other |
|
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
1 |
11 |
14 |
8 |
|
2 |
19 |
23 |
15 |
|
3 |
25 |
30 |
21 |
|
4 |
33 |
35 |
27 |
|
5 |
41 |
44 |
33 |
|
Plus £8* |
Plus £9* |
Plus £6* |
*For each additional teacher on the recognised staff.
ASSEMBLY HALLS.
(of area 1,500 sq. ft. and over)...£28.
CLEANING.
|
Size of School (Number of Teachers) |
Schools where a cleaner is regularly employed from day to day |
Other Schools |
||
|
Materials |
Services |
Total |
||
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
1 |
1 |
18 |
19 |
8 |
|
2 |
2 |
25 |
27 |
13 |
|
3 |
3 |
34 |
37 |
16 |
|
4 |
4 |
40 |
44 |
19 |
|
5 |
5 |
46 |
51 |
22 |
|
6 |
6 |
52 |
58 |
25 |
|
7 |
7 |
58 |
65 |
28 |
|
8 |
8 |
64 |
72 |
31 |
|
9 |
9 |
69 |
78 |
34 |
|
10 |
10 |
75 |
85 |
37 |
|
11 |
11 |
81 (max). |
92 |
40 |
|
12 |
12 |
81 |
93 |
43 |
|
Plus £1* |
Plus £3 |
*For each additional teacher on the recognised staff.
Will the Minister contemplate increasing the grant in view of the seven per cent on the ESB charges?
No.
Will the Minister say that the grant which is given to these schools is the only amount which is used for cleaning and lighting.
It is not intended as such.
I should like to know more about this.
It is intended to be a grant towards the cost.
Who is to pay the rest?
It seems to me that it should be clear that with the nature of our national schools, which are parochial schools, that the obligation to contribute something towards cleaning and maintenance is one which clearly lies on the parish.
The State has a responsibility to educate these people and has accepted it.
Free education for all.
Surely it should also accept the obligation of heating, cleaning and lighting the schools?
The Deputy is aware that our system of national school education is one that evolved in the course of our history and is not comparable with that of any other country. If you like, it is a kind of compromise between the parents on the one hand and the Church authorities and the State on the other. The State, as the Deputy knows, contributes the vast bulk of the cost but if these are to be parochial schools, if the system is to continue as at present, it seems to me not unreasonable that the parish should contribute something towards the cost.
Would the Minister say who has the responsibility—the parents or the manager?
The manager.
The manager is supposed to get the money by way of raffle, by going around with the hat or something like that?
The sum involved if the schools are maintained normally and regularly is not very great.
Is the Minister aware or was it brought to his notice that there was a meeting of managers recently—Catholic managers, priests —and they protested. As far as I remember, they asked the Minister for Education to increase the amount substantially.
I am not specifically aware of that.
The inference is they did not accept the responsibility for providing the balance. If this is the situation, I think the Minister ought to talk to them about it to see who has the responsibility of making sure that these schools are adequately heated and cleaned.
As it is well known that this is a matter of perennial irritation and agitation in various parts, I take it that whatever irritation and agitation arise the responsibility for the contribution of small amounts will be removed from the educational scheme from 1st September, 1967.
Mr. O'Leary
This will be one of the details.
This will be one of the details and will be dealt with.
I am not aware that the Minister for Education made any statement that would lead the Deputy by any stretch of the imagination to arrive at that conclusion.