asked the Minister for Education the total amount of public money paid during the most recent financial year to the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland, and the Scouts Association of Ireland; and if, in view of the lack of co-operation between these two bodies, he considers that the payment of separate grants is socially and economically justifiable.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers . - Scouts Organisations .
18.
: In the current year, a total of £35,000 has been allocated for the Federation of Irish Scout Associations to assist the programmes of its member organisations, the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland and the Scouts Association of Ireland.
It has never been the practice to make separate grants to the two organisations.
: Has the Minister any objection to making a joint grant in order to encourage these two groups to come together? Would the Minister agree that it is rather absurd to have a duplication of this kind of youth facilities based on religious grounds?
: The answer was to the effect that the grant made is in respect of the two associations. They decide for themselves as to how the two elements in the association will benefit from the grant. Is the Deputy suggesting that I should separate it before I give it to them?
: Will the Minister advise these two groups that the grant will not be made in future unless they come together and form one group of boy scouts for the whole community, as an advance in ecumenism?
: That is a separate question.
: On reflection, the Deputy must accept that what he suggests I should do would be contrary to the spirit of youth movements. I regard my function as one where there should be the minimum intervention, where there should be the minimum of constraint on any organisation that produces a worth-while service for any group of young people. I will interfere as little as possible.
: The Minister is aware that the division here is based on religious grounds and that is undesirable in our community. Is it not a fact that quite recently the Minister for Education acted by withdrawing a grant in order to influence a group who were exercising the appalling system of apartheid in South Africa? I am not saying that is as appalling as apartheid but it is a form of apartheid. Why can the Minister of State not follow the example set by the Minister for Education in this regard?
: The anomaly is entirely irrelevant and the Deputy on reflection must accept that it is irrelevant.
: I do not accept that. It is a perpetuation of bigotry—just like the schools.