asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement on the financing of voluntary secondary schools in the free school scheme as a result of the 1980 budget.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Voluntary Secondary Schools Financing.
6.
An opportunity for a discussion on the financial arrangements for support for secondary schools by way of payment of capitation grants and grants in lieu of tuition fees as provided for in the vote for secondary education, 1980, has been made available in connection with the debate on the estimates on 2 May, 1980, which will be resumed tomorrow.
Accordingly, I do not consider it necessary to deal with it by way of reply to this question.
I am rather disappointed with the reply. Is the Minister aware that Rev. Brother Declan Duffy of the Secretariat of Secondary Schools recently made a statement as reported on 3 March, in the Irish Independent stating that——
The Deputy may not quote at Question Time.
——unless the secondary schools receive £50 capitation grant many secondary schools will have to close next September? Whatever the Minister may think of his Estimate is he not aware of this public protest at the present situation in respect of voluntary secondary schools?
Question No. 7.
Will the Minister give us an answer? Here we have representatives of the voluntary secondary schools protesting in the most serious terms that unless £50 capitation grant——
Order. The Deputy is aware that the Estimate is before the House and if he wishes to make statements Question Time is not the place to make them.
I am merely asking the Minister if he is aware that Brother Declan Duffy of the Secretariat of Secondary Schools has stated clearly that unless £50 extra per head is given for secondary schools, many such schools will not be able to open next September? If the Minister does not want to comment on that he is in dereliction of his duty.
The Minister will see to it that the schools stay open and will finance them adequately.
Is the Minister going to give them the money?
I have already done so.
The Minister cannot give the money.
I shall continue to finance them adequately. Modesty forbids me to read out the improvements I have made since I took office.
Can I get an undertaking from the Minister that he will give an extra £50 capitation grant for pupils attending voluntary secondary schools?
My modesty will fail me if the Deputy continues.
So will the Minister's purse strings.