asked the Minister for Education if the Government proposes to withdraw grants from certain athletic organisations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Athletic Organisations Grants.
65.
It is not proposed to withdraw grants from any athletic organisation, provided that the organisation complies with the conditions for the payment of a grant.
Is it intended to increase grants to sporting organisations under the scheme commenced by the last Government? Is it intended to increase the grants to the sporting organisations mentioned in the Deputy's question?
As the Deputy may be aware, the grants to sporting organisations were allocated by the previous Government two days before they left office. As these grants were announced in the public press I do not feel it would be fair for me to start altering them at this stage. I will be reconsidering the whole position in regard to grants to sporting organisations in the course of the next year with a view to the allocation which will fall to be made for the next financial year.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say whether the announcement to which he referred, referred to the allocation of money for the financial year 1973-74 or 1972-73?
For 1973-74. The announcement was made on 10th March, 1973.
The Parliamentary Secretary should have a look at his brief. I think he will discover that he has given wrong information. I have no doubt about it.
I think so too.
In regard to the question?
In regard to the money expended, or the announcement made in respect of sporting organisations. The Parliamentary Secretary has given wrong information to the House in respect of the financial year in question.
I am subject to correction, but these grants were announced for the forthcoming year on 10th March, 1973.
They were announced to be paid out of moneys which already had been voted for that year.
Deputy Tunney is not helping the Chair in respect of questions.
(Interruptions.)
In order to clarify the matter somewhat, could I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether he could state in what month it was traditional for the Department of Education to allocate these grants in previous years?
I am not aware.
The Parliamentary Secretary should be so aware.
Could I ask how often we will have to come in to teach the Parliamentary Secretaries how to read their briefs?
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Colley did not do so well on television.
(Interruptions.)
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.