Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 5

Written Answers. - Education Centres.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

245 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 196 of 14 May 2003, the way in which consideration is currently being given to the recognition of three additional outdoor education centres, including the centre in Tanagh; if it will be dealt with in 2003; the number of years since this application was actually first made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16395/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

County Monaghan VEC first approached my Department regarding the establishment of an outdoor education centre in December 1989. From the outset my Department advised the VEC that, due to lack of resources and an embargo on any expansion of the VEC outdoor education centre network, sanction or funding for the centre would not be forthcoming.

My Department has now sought the approval of the Department of Finance to extend recognition for funding purposes to three currently operational "unrecognised" VEC outdoor education centres, including Tanagh.

Additional financial support was provided by my Department to County Monaghan VEC in respect of Tanagh outdoor education centre in the past three years, 2000-02. It should be noted that in the case of the nine recognised centres currently operating, the funding allocated is essentially contributory in nature and the centres are, in the main, expected to operate on a self-financing basis.

Constraints in relation to the availability of funding, in particular for capital development, must be taken into account in undertaking any expansion of the network of VEC outdoor education centres.