Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 15 Feb 1979

Vol. 311 No. 8

Written Answers. - Dublin Schools.

243.

Mr. Keating

asked the Minister for Education if he will investigate the present difficult financial situation of St. Joseph's Girls' Primary School. East Wall Road, Dublin; and, in view of the increasing hardship that the present financial situation imposes and the danger of the school eventually closing, if he will make an exceptional compensatory amount available for this particular school, or if he will offer any other help, advice or support to the board of management who are doing their very best for local children.

244.

Mr. Keating

asked the Minister for Education the steps he proposes to take to assist St. Joseph's Girls' Primary School, East Wall Road, Dublin, regarding the difficulties being experienced, as outlined in their letter to him last month.

245.

Mr. Keating

asked the Minister for Education if he will increase the capitation grant for the school year 1979-80; and if he will agree to make this grant payable at the beginning of the school year.

246.

Mr. Keating

asked the Minister for Education if he will make special grants available for the purposes of regular painting of the interior and exterior of under-financed and underenrolled schools; and if he will consider taking such an exceptional step in the case of St. Joseph's Girls' Primary School, East Wall Road, Dublin.

247.

Mr. Keating

asked the Minister for Education if he will investigate the present difficult financial situation of St. Laurence O'Toole National School, North Wall, Dublin; and, in view of the increasing hardship that the present financial situation imposes and the danger of the school eventually closing, if he will make an exceptional compensatory amount available for this particular school, or if he will offer any other help, advice or support to the board of management who are doing their very best for local children.

249.

Dr. FitzGerald

asked the Minister for Education if he has received a resolution from the board of management of St. Mary's School, Donnybrook, Dublin, regarding the difficulty of running the school at the present low level of grants; if he will increase the grant to £12 per child immediately; and if he will introduce an additional grant to cover the cost of painting and necessary maintenance.

Minister for Education (Mr. Wilson)

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 to 247, inclusive, and 249 together.

I have received such requests from the boards of management of the schools mentioned.

This scheme of grants is, however, of general application—with certain special provisions for schools for the handicapped—and I am, accordingly, unable to entertain applications from individual schools for higher grants than those provided for in the scheme. Moneys made available under the scheme of capitation grants, introduced in 1974, are intended to be spent on heating, cleaning, repairs and maintenance, the provision of teaching materials, and the periodic painting of the schools.

The grant was raised from £6 to £8 per pupil for the school year 1977-78 and the question of a further increase for the school year 1978-79 is now under consideration.