asked the Minister for Education if he will make an up-to-date statement on the provision of a new national school at Ballygunner, Waterford; if he is aware of the urgent need for this school in view of the rapidly growing population in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Satisfactory title to the site for the proposed new national school at Ballygunner, County Waterford, has been established. When agreement has been reached regarding the amount of the local contribution a grant will be sanctioned and the preparation of working drawings may then be initiated.

When will work commence on the new school? Has provision been made in the Estimates for the building of the new school?

After the first stage, further stages of the project are preparation of working drawings and a bill of quantities leading up to the invitation of tenders.

Is it likely that the school will commence in 1983?

I should not like to speculate because it depends on how long it takes to prepare the various documents.

Is the Minister aware of the rapid growth of the population in the area and that the school should be built as a matter of urgency?

As far as the Department are concerned there will be no undue delay.

17.

asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that the total income from his Department received by Scoil Treasa, Firhouse, County Dublin, is a sum of £4,785 and that the present annual expenditure of this school comes to a sum of approximately £12,800; and if his Department intend to make any additional funds available to this primary school.

The amount of capitation grant payable to authorities of national schools is calculated by reference to general regulations related to categories of school. The general rate of grant was £15 per pupil in the 1981-82 school year, on condition that a local contribution of at least £3.75 per pupil was lodged to the school account. The individual boards of management are charged with the direct government of the school and are responsible for managing the school finances including the making of arrangements for the collection of such funds locally in supplement of the State grant as will ensure that the school premises will be adequately heated and cleaned and kept in a proper decorative condition.

I am not authorised to make additional grants to individual schools.

Does the Minister accept that this is a school in a growing area and that the amount of money made available by the Department is totally inadequate to meet the needs of the pupils of the school? As matters stand, the school will be required to raise a considerably greater sum than the income given by the Department.

That may be so. Many other schools would probably make the same case but unfortunately I cannot make exceptions for various schools. The same criteria apply to all of them.

(Limerick East): When was the capitation grant last increased? Is it the intention to increase this grant in the near future?

In 1980-81 the amount per pupil was £13 and in 1981-82 the amount was £15.

(Limerick East): When is it intended to increase the grant again?

That is a budgetary matter.

(Limerick East): Is the Minister aware of the serious financial position of primary schools which can only be alleviated by an immediate increase in the capitation grant?

I am aware, as is the case with other sections in the educational field, that there are problems.

Would the Minister agree that by reason of the inadequacy of the capitation grant to all schools, parents and children have to make up the short-fall and that it is children attending schools in poorer areas whose parents cannot afford the money who are the ones who suffer most? They are located in the areas where education is most needed.

We cannot make exceptions for individual schools. They are all treated in the same manner.

Does the Minister accept the figures put forward by Deputy Shatter in the question? Would the Minister be prepared to meet the authorities from this school as they are in a very serious situation?

I accept what Deputy Shatter said in all good faith. I assume he is giving correct information in the best interest of the school and pupils. The level of capitation grant is being looked at by the Government in relation to the Estimates for the Department of Education.