asked the Minister for Education when his Department will make available to Our Lady of Mercy secondary school, Mourne Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, the £6,000 necessary to provide grids for windows because of the urgent necessity to ensure proper protection of school property.

Under the terms of the scheme for the payment of grants towards the building of secondary schools, I am not in a position to provide grants towards the cost of supplying protective window grids at Our Lady of Mercy school, Drimnagh, Dublin.

Can the Minister indicate whether his Department have examined this application, the economic aspect of it as against the disruption in the lives of the students having regard to the small cost involved?

Under the scheme for the payment of grants towards the building of secondary schools it would not be eligible for a grant.

Is there any scheme under which it would qualify?

I do not think so.

Would the Minister ask somebody to examine the situation and see if it is necessary to alter the regulations to ensure matters like this get the consideration they deserve?

I am quite willing, but the Deputy must understand that the consequences of examining it and coming to a conclusion that we should provide relatively small sums for the protection of schools would be that the money available for the erection of schools would be diminished and fewer schools would be built.

If he examines the situation the Minister might be convinced that there is a case to be made for this application.

Deputy Wilson.

Further arising——

Deputy Dowling, I have intervened. You will resume your seat.

I always have to sit down.

Would the Minister not agree—and if he does not agree he is wrong—that a slight increase in the capitation grant would enable this school to put up these grids?

I will examine that question. I am not sure that it would solve the problem in this case.

Deputy Tunney.

One last question.

Deputy Tunney has been called.

Would the Minister say whether it would be worthwhile carrying out a survey as to the amount of damage which has occurred to schools in Dublin and elsewhere and which has to be paid for one way or another? Having regard to the increase in values the time has come when it might be wise to endeavour to protect our schools better against these attacks and this might be cheaper in the long run.

There is merit in that Informally and at a minimum cost I would be willing to see what damage has been done and see exactly what the cost will be.