Grant Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2012

Tuesday, 22 May 2012

Ceisteanna (196)

Michael McCarthy

Ceist:

283 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way he ensures that the remote area boarding grant, when not paid to a boarding school but to a household providing digs accommodation, is spent effectively and procures adequate living arrangements for the pupils concerned; the process in place to ensure that certain minimum standards apply when pupils are going into such accommodation; his views that the administration of the grant is appropriately regulated and supervised in terms of vetting and ensuring the household is kept to a certain standard; if such households’ pupils are subjected to checks and inspections by his Department in the same manner as foster homes or Irish summer college accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25099/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

The grant referred to by the Deputy is not paid by my Department directly to a person providing accommodation. Rather it is paid to the parents of the qualifying child. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that the accommodation which they secure for their child is of an acceptable standard.

My Department has no role in relation to setting down minimum standards for accommodation, vetting or the conduct of inspections of the type referred to by the Deputy.