asked the Minister for Education if he has any plans to increase the capitation grant for heating, cleaning and maintenance in primary schools to more than £8.00.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Heating and Maintenance Grants.
21.
The rate of the capitation grant has been raised from £6 to £8 per pupil in respect of the current school-year.
There are no proposals for any immediate further increases in the rate of this grant.
Is it not the case that the Fianna Fáil manifesto told the electorate that they would increase the grant on coming into office? Is it not the case that the increase to £8 was determined by the previous Administration?
The increase was granted on paper but I have to pay. It is like a guest in the house who runs up bills and when he is gone the host has to pay them.
That is the normal situation with a host.
If the previous Administration had not increased the grant would that bill not have been met? Is the Minister saying that had the election gone otherwise that bill would not have been met?
The Minister is saying nothing about the integrity of Deputy Barry for whom he has great respect.
Does the Minister not agree that what he has said about the previous Government is normal procedure? Is he aware that the school management boards are at the moment in a terrible dilemma with regard to paying their bills because of the level of the maintenance grants being paid? Would he give any indication of his intention with regard to increasing them this year?
I have already done so. That has been answered. I want to state that the rate of grant has been increased for the first time in respect of the current school year to £8 per pupil. I am sure Deputy Barry, being a man of honour, would have delivered on it if he had been returned. It is conditional on the local contribution being increased to at least £2 per pupil. I am the first to pay on the increased grant. That is the only point I am making.
It is normal procedure.