Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 4

Written Answers. - Voluntary Secondary Schools.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

35 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether there is a major problem with the funding of schools in the voluntary secondary schools sector in County Louth; the reasons for the delay in the publication of the report of the steering group on school funding set up by his Department; when he will release this report; if he will give a commitment to implement in full its recommendations; if he will increase the capital on grant for this sector in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11714/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

Schools in the voluntary sector in County Louth are funded on the same basis as other voluntary secondary schools nationwide.

The report of the steering group on the funding of second level schools has been published and I have arranged for a copy to be forwarded to the Deputy.

I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply in this matter, in which I set out details of my significant initiative in which I am putting in place a schools services support fund at a cost of £7 million per year. I see this significant development as representing real progress in the funding of second level schools.