asked the Minister for Labour if he is satisfied with the rate of £17.00 per week maintenance being paid for AnCO students in Gweedore, County Donegal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal AnCO Students.
8.
I am satisfied that the maintenance allowance of £17.00 per week paid by AnCO in the Gweedore area is reasonable and compares favourably with allowances paid by similar type organisations.
Is the Minister fully aware that the householders who keep these AnCO students are seriously considering giving it up because it is not a paying proposition at present?
The allowance paid was increased from £15 to £17 on 1 January; the Deputy may be aware of that. It does not include the midday meal for the five days of the week. That meal is provided in the AnCO centres. It compares favourably with some rates. For example, Bord na Móna pay £18 per week for seven days full board including the midday meal. The ESB pay £19 per week for seven days full board in Cork, Waterford and Limerick. With those comparisons the Deputy will have to accept that the £17 for full board only at weekends and for the week without the midday meal appears to be adequate.
I thank the Minister for his reply and I ask him to review the situation because I understand that these householders have to give tea and biscuits at night and that really is a free meal. I also realise that on Saturday and Sunday the students have to have a four-course meal, and £17 is altogether inadequate. Will the Minister review the situation?
I have given comparable figures to the Deputy but if he asks me to look at the situation I will do so without undertaking that AnCO will be able to make any increase in the payment.