Grant Payments.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2005

Tuesday, 18 October 2005

Ceisteanna (620, 621)

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

699 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if a response will issue to a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28690/05]

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

701 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the proposals from an organisation and their current application for State grants totalling €500,000 per annum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28705/05]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 699 and 701 together.

The level of funding that my Department provides to Educate Together as a school management body is on a par with that provided to Foras Patrúnachta na Gaelscoileanna, the Church of Ireland Board of Education, the Islamic Board of Education and the National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education. However, following discussions with Educate Together, my Department has provided additional funding to Educate Together in 2005 to meet the immediate issues of concern to that body. The matter of the future funding to be provided to the primary management bodies, including Educate Together, in 2006 will be considered as part of the normal Estimates process. The issue of additional funding for Educate Together from other State sources is essentially a matter for the patron body to pursue with the relevant interests outside of my Department.