asked the Minister for Education if financial assistance will be made available to secondary schools for the employment of full-time porter/caretakers.

The financial assistance afforded to secondary schools by way of capitation grant and grant in lieu of tuition fees is for the purpose of the general maintenance costs and other expenses involved in the administration of the schools. It would not be appropriate to make a separate grant to the schools for the employment of porter/caretakers.

I appreciate the Minister's difficulty but would he consider special cases in relation to special problems in special areas due to vandalism? I do not want to indicate any particular area. The economics of the situation in one area are that £20,000 worth of damage was done to school property in a period of 12 months. Surely some relief should be given to ensure a reduction in vandalism. Would the Minister be prepared to consider a special case where there has been vandalism to that extent and provide some remedial measure to eliminate it?

The administration, maintenance and, if necessary, the caretaking of any institution are matters to be decided by the administrators of the budget of the institution in question. Some comprehensive schools employ caretakers out of their general budget. The same should apply to secondary schools.

While the educational system is on a broad basis, the problems in a geographical area are not constant. Would the Minister consider a special case in special circumstances if a reasonable case is made to him?

I am always willing to listen to a reasonable case, but the budget of any school must be allocated in the way decided upon by the people in charge of running the school.

Will there be any increase in the capitation grant in the near future?

I do not think there will be in the near future. As the Deputy knows, the capitation grant has gone up by over 60 per cent in the past two years.

Vandalism will continue.

Not necessarily. Schools must operate within their budgets.

Will the Minister listen to a special case?

I am always very reasonable as the Deputy knows.