Vol. 484 No. 2
12 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science whether his attention has been drawn to recent remarks by a professor in Cork regarding the failure to pay capital grants to multi-denominational schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16672/97]
I am aware of the reported remarks referred to by the Deputy. However, I can confirm that all national schools, including multi-denominational schools, are eligible for capital grants when they have been granted permanent recognition by my Department. The actual choice of projects for funding depends on the resources available and the relative priority of individual cases.
To establish whether a multi-denominational school has a viable future, it is normal practice to grant provisional recognition to the school for a period. Because of the provisional nature of the school's recognition at this stage, no capital grants are paid to it. However, if the school is being conducted in rented premises, the Department contributes 50 per cent of the cost of the rent.
If, over a period of a few years, the school proves its viability through developing its enrolment it is then granted permanent recognition and, as stated, becomes eligible for capital grants in the normal way. The same arrangements apply to gaelscoileanna and to any school whose future enrolment needs to be established.
The criteria for the recognition of all categories of national school, and related matters such as capital grants, are the subject of a major review being undertaken at present by the commission on school accommodation needs. Educate Together, the umbrella body for multi-denominational schools, is represented on the commission's steering group.
