asked the Minister for Education the Government's attitude to the future uses of the heavy investment from public funds now latent in schools which have either closed recently or may close in the future; the total amount involved approximately in the three most recent inner-city schools; and his proposals with regard to such moneys.

31.

asked the Minister for Education if he will insist, as a condition of making State funds available to any educational institution in the future, that such an institution will not cease to provide education or sell its premises without his prior consent.

43.

asked the Minister for Education if any grants or loans payable to secondary schools by his Department are made subject to a condition that the school concerned shall remain in existence for a specified minimum period of time; the type of loan or grant concerned and the nature of any such conditions; and the estimated number of secondary schools which have accepted such grants subject to such conditions.

: With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 31 and 43 together.

Grants towards the cost of the erection and major improvement of national schools are sanctioned subject to the condition that in each case the premises are vested in trustees by an official lease. The lease provides that at all times for the duration of its term a national school will be maintained on the premises. In the event of default on the part of the trustees in the matter of compliance with the terms of the lease, the Minister for Education may require a refund of the full amount of the grants paid.

The building grants scheme for secondary schools provides that the school building in respect of which a grant under the scheme is made, or the school building together with the extension in respect of which a grant under the scheme is given, shall be continued and maintained in good order for a period of 99 years as a secondary school fulfilling the conditions for recognition prescribed from time to time in the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools and the conditions and regulations for the payment of grants to secondary schools. In the case of default a repayment shall be made to the Minister of such amount, not exceeding the amount of the grant, as the Minister may determine.

358 schools have been given grants under the secondary schools' building grants scheme in accordance with the terms of the scheme as outlined.

No building grants were paid to Maria Assumpta School or Holy Faith Convent School, Dominic Street. Grants totalling £5,200 approximately were paid to the authorities of Dominican Convent School, Eccles Street, in the period 1967-70. A repayment of these grants would not be required in the event of the closure of the school in view of the minor nature of the works involved.

Was the 99 years condition which the Minister refers to in relation to grants to secondary schools a condition which was asked for in respect of that £5,000?

It only refers to major grants. I have not a breakdown of what type of grant the £5,200 refers to.

Would the Minister not agree that the requirement by his Department to pay back the grant in the event of the school ceasing to be a school is a totally inadequate sanction given to the Department in order to ensure continuity in education in any particular school, especially in regard to the high valuation of centre city properties? Would he not agree that some stronger sanction needs to be imported into the grants scheme?

I do not know what premise the Deputy's question is based on. If you have not given any grants at all you are dealing with a property which is as private as your own private house. I cannot understand how the Minister can have any power whatsoever in that circumstance. With regard to a grant of £5,200 in relation to a very valuable property I do not think it would make a significant difference to have a refund of £5,200.

That depends.

Would the Minister not accept that Question No. 31 refers to making State funds, in the general term, available and that teachers' salaries would come under this general heading of State funds, and also capitation grants? Would he not agree that there should be adequate safeguards for the public money which he, as trustee for the State, has invested in those schools?

I do not accept that teachers' salaries are relevant in this situation. They are paid to individual teachers for their own use and benefit. That is the most ridiculous suggestion I ever heard in the House.

Is the Minister satisfied with the safeguards which exist at the moment in relation to the payment of State grants to educational institutions?

Ninety-nine years will see me out.

Is it not the situation that they pay back the money?

27.