asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the grave disquiet among voluntary secondary schools with regard to capitation grants and grants in lieu of fees; and if he will make a statement on the steps he will take to ensure that these secondary schools will remain viable.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Secondary School Grants.
25.
Mr. R. Burke
I would refer the Deputy to my statement on the matter in the Dáil on Wednesday, 16th April, 1975, in connection with the motion on this subject.
Would the Minister give the House a précis of that statement?
Mr. R. Burke
The statement was circulated with the Official Report for 15th April, 1975.
Was it to the effect that the Minister proposed to increase the grants?
Mr. R. Burke
I undertook to announce on behalf of the Government increases at a reasonably near point of time in the future.
Is the Minister aware of the serious concern on the part of parents, proprietors of private schools and teachers throughout the country, this delay is causing? Is the Minister further aware that at a meeting of parents' associations and proprietors of voluntary schools representing Cork city and county a message was delivered to the effect that the Minister proposed to increase the grants by about 50 per cent? I am not suggesting that the Minister had any part in that. It embarrassed not only Deputy Burke but a number of other Deputies also. Is there any semblance of truth in the suggestion of a possible increase in grants of 50 per cent?
Mr. R. Burke
I am not in a position to say at the moment by how much they will be increased except to say that they will be increased. I will make an announcement in the reasonably near future. I am aware of both points raised by Deputy Lynch.
In pursuance of a question I asked the Minister when this matter was debated by way of Private Members' Motion I should like to ask the Minister if he means by "reasonably near future" before the long vacation?
Mr. R. Burke
I do not like to be pinned down to any particular time but I would imagine it will be before the long vacation.