asked the Minister for Education if he will state for each county how many applications for grants he has received from secondary schools pursuant to the scheme for such grants announced by him in August 1961; how many such applications have been investigated; and if he will state the total amount in grants so far sanctioned, and the total amount paid.

I assume that the scheme referred to is the scheme for the payment of grants in aid of the cost of furnishing and equipping science laboratories in recognised secondary schools. With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to have a tabular statement circulated with the Official Report in relation to the information sought by the Deputy.

Following is the statement:

SCHEME of Grants in aid of the cost of furnishing and equipping Science Laboratories in Secondary Schools.

Applications under the Scheme in accordance with Counties.

The expenditure in respect of the applications already approved will be in the region of £60,000. The necessary vouched documents showing the expenditure incurred have been furnished to the Department in respect of five applications and the relevant grants amounting in all to £6,700 will issue when the forms of undertaking required under the scheme have been completed and returned to the Department.