Art College Evening Class Subsidies
Wilson sought extra funding to subsidise NCAD evening classes, noting that some fees had quadrupled and students received no subsidy. Bruton said the college’s grant-in-aid had risen to £496,500, but no further money was available; the college had made its course decisions within its resources, and the Minister had provided the maximum possible for 1976. Wilson objected that the allocation was still under £500,000.
asked the Minister for Education if he will make money available to the National College of Art and Design in order to subsidise the evening classes.
Comment on this
The grant-in-aid to the National College of Art and Design was increased from £427,000 for 1975 to £496,500 for 1976. It is not possible to make further money available for the subsidising of evening classes or for any other such purpose.
Comment on this
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in some instances the fees for evening classes at the NCAD have been quadrupled and also that the students must pay the fees which are not subsidised despite the figure he has given for the grant-in-aid?
Comment on this
The decision in relation to courses was made by the college authorities in relation to their total grant-in-aid resources.
Comment on this
In that case would it not seem obvious that the grant should be increased so that these students who are working during the day would not be mulcted in this way?
Comment on this
The question is simply one of how much money is available to the Minister for Education for such purposes. For 1976 he has made available the maximum amount possible and in the light of this the college has had to take the decision regarding courses.