My Department has grant-aided the provision of the new school building for North Kildare Educate Together which is now nearing completion. My Department has also recently advised the school that it can apply for a once-off start up grant of €6,500 for the special class for children with autism. Based on the budgetary allocation, a sum of €1.2 million was allocated towards the cost of providing furniture in primary schools in 2003. The Deputy will, therefore, appreciate that it is not possible, at this stage, to provide grant aid towards the cost of replacing furniture at the school. However, the school may use funds allocated by my Department under the terms of the grant scheme for minor works to purchase additional furniture, provided such funds are not required for more urgent and immediate works.
The position regarding the grant scheme for minor works is set out in the 2003 schools building programme which was published in January. The programme shows that €18.1 million has been provided for the payment of the full grant. The programme also identifies explicitly that there are two parts to the grant –€12.5 million for payment of the standard grant of €3,809 to each school and €5.6 million for payment of the per capita element at €12.70 per pupil.
Questions Nos. 213 and 214 answered with Question No. 173.
