asked the Minister for Education whether her Department intends to support financially the activities of the National Parents' Council, either through the national lottery or otherwise.
37.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - National Parents' Council.
9.
asked the Minister for Education if she will consider giving the National Parents' Council financial assistance towards its programme of activities for 1989; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 37 together.
The post-primary and the primary tiers of the National Parents' Council received a payment of £10,000 each in their first year, 1985, and further payments of £25,000 each were made in 1986. These payments were made for the purpose of helping the council to become operational. It was never intended, as was clearly stated at the time, that they should continue beyond the first year or two. It was always envisaged that the council should be self-financing. Provision has not been made in the Estimates since 1986 to facilitate a payment to the council and the position is unchanged for 1989.
However, an application has recently been received from the primary tier of the National Parents' Council for lottery funding for a development/parent education programme. As you are aware, the disbursement of lottery funds is not a matter for decision by my Department, but the matter is being examined to see if a recommendation to the appropriate authorities may be warranted.
I am aware that the Minister has enthusiastically supported the National Parents Council. Does the Minister recognise the importance of parents involvement in education and the difficulty they have in travelling to meetings in order to keep the National Parents Council together and in operation? Would the Minister consider devising some system of travelling expenses or whatever for the National Parents Council?
I have met both the primary and post-primary tiers of the council on several occasions. The primary tier of the council at their European seminar in Dún Laoghaire expressed to me the difficulties they have in keeping the body together, in disseminating information to their members, in the preparation of documents, etc., all of which is very necessary if they are to represent parents on a national basis. The primary tier have put forward a very carefully worded developmental programme for parental involvement in education. They have forwarded this programme to the lottery authorities and I hope I will be able to give that application my recommendation.