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Grant Payments.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Ceisteanna (190)

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

370 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will reinstate the physical education grant for schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21521/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In October 2000, my Department introduced a physical education grant for all primary schools. Since the introduction of the scheme, my Department provided in excess of €5.5 million in grant aid to primary schools under this scheme to enable schools provide coaching or mentoring in connection with physical education or to purchase resource materials associated with the provision of physical education.

Materials and equipment purchased by schools in previous years will generally be available to them for subsequent years.

In the light of budgetary constraints, I decided to withdraw payment of the grant from 2003. The position will be kept under review as part ofthe normal Estimates process in the coming years.

Year

No. pupils

Expenditure

2001

151,363

3,571,525.78

2002

143,951

3,762,509.00

2003

144,030

3,947,674.20

2004

139,387

3,823,587.40 (to date)

Figures at primary level for the year 2000 are not readily available to my Department. These will shortly be forwarded directly to the Deputy.

At post-primary level following are details of the number of applicants for assistance and expenditure provisions for the years 2000 to2004:

Year

No. pupils

Provision

2000

146,000

5,769,000

2001

141,760

5,828,098

2002

137,500

6,175,000

2003

137,630

6,359,000

2004

135,860

6,359,000

The school has recently been notified of this decision.

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