Paul Bradford
Ceist:21 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the funding shortfall facing the National Parents Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21722/97]
Written Answers. - National Parents Council.
I fully appreciate the essential role which parents have to play in the education of their children. The National Parents Council provides representation for parents as partners in education, and fulfils an important function as a channel of communication between parents and my Department.
Since 1991 my Department has paid an annual grant to both the primary and post-primary tiers of the National Parents Council to help the council develop its role in representing parents' views at local, national and European level. Initially, these grants were £25,000 per annum, but I am happy to inform the Deputy that it has been significantly increased in the interim and now stands at £90,000 for each of the two councils.
While I cannot immediately increase the level of these grants, I assure the Deputy that I will keep the matter under review in the light of available resources.