asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the legal opinion received by Monaghan County Council in respect of payment of moneys to the vocational educational committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Educational Funding.
172.
The legal opinion received by Monaghan County Council, as forwarded to my Department, relates to the interpretation of local government legislation concerning the determination of the net produce of a rate of one penny in the pound. A review of the whole question of local authority financing is currently being carried out by the Minister for the Environment and this review includes consideration of the present system of statutory demands for various purposes such as education. The view was expressed to Monaghan County Council by my Department that, pending the outcome of this review, the council should continue to deal with the matter on the basis which obtains at present and to make available the local contributions as requested by County Monaghan Vocational Education Committee. I understand that Monaghan County Council is proceeding on this basis and that the balance of its 1985 contribution will be paid to County Monaghan Vocational Education Committee next month.