asked the Minister for Education if charges are secured on the lands of non-vested schools in respect of which grants have been given by the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
180.
Written Answers. - School Grants.
179.
asked the Minister for Education whether capital grants paid to the patrons/promoters of all national schools are secured by way of a charge on the school lands; if not, when the practice not to secure the grants in this way ceased; the kind of schools and the length of time involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
181.
asked the Minister for Education the moneys which have been awarded, by way of grants for capital works and equipment, by the State to religious orders engaged in education over the past ten years; the amount of this money which is secured by way of deed of charge or otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 to 181, inclusive, together.
In regard to secondary schools, one of the conditions attaching to the payment of grants towards the building of recognised secondary schools is that the school site shall be vested in trustees, who are required to give a formal undertaking regarding the continuation and maintenance of the buildings as a secondary school.
Capital grants payable in respect of national schools which are vested in trustees are secured by virtue of the fact that the Minister for Education is a party to the lease. National schools' authorities would be unable to dispose of a property without the consent of the Minister for Education of the day. Such consent would not be forthcoming without agreement being reached on an appropriate refund to my Department in respect of capital grants paid.
In relation to non-vested national schools capital grants are sanctioned only when the chairperson of the board of management accepts in writing that a refund of the unexpired value of the grant is payable to my Department in the event of the school ceasing its function within a specified period.
The information sought in relation to the amount of money awarded by the State to religious orders engaged in education is not readily available in my Department's records in the format requested by the Deputy. As its compilation would involve the deployment of staff from more urgent duties, the authorisation of such deployment would not be warranted in present circumstances.