asked the Minister for Education if she will consider directing special attention to those primary schools where the freeze on capitation grants for the second year running has resulted in a shortfall of £10 per pupil for day to day running costs.

The day to day running costs of primary schools are discharged by making funds available by means of State grants and contributions from local sources. The State capitation grant is not intended to meet operating costs in full. Each board of management are responsible under the rules for national schools, for making 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 proper decorative condition.

The payment of the capitation grant is regulated by the published conditions, which are of general application. The only provision for supplementary State assistance for running expenses is through the special fund allocated for schools serving areas of severe disadvantage, part of which may be used for the relief of debt. The fund is distributed by the diocesan authorities.

In view of the fact that the capitation grant to schools was frozen again this year and the hardship this caused to a great many schools where the parents of the pupils are not in a position to give more money, do the Government intend to at least double the special fund for disadvantaged primary schools in order to meet the crisis? This crisis was clearly spelt out in a full page, horrifying article in the Irish Independent on 7 January detailing 26 emergency cases in schools involving hepatitis among other things. This was followed by other articles to the point where they informed us that children in a school in Baldoyle were asked to bring toilet paper to school. Has the Minister any plans for dealing with the additional problems caused in disadvantaged areas by increasing the fund?

This question relates to an answer given to Deputy Kenny——

No.

I cannot say at this point what we propose to produce in the Estimates in October for 1989. Points have been brought to my attention in regard to the present position of capitation grants and my Department and I will bear them in mind when we are preparing the Estimates and bringing them to Cabinet.

As these facts have been repeatedly brought to the Minister's attention in the Dáil, when the Estimates are being drawn up will the Minister take every possible step to compensate all schools in disadvantaged areas and to restore the cut in the disadvantaged fund, which needs to be doubled?

I can confirm that we will be giving early consideration to budgetary matters and we hope to have the Estimates in October. I will also be bearing in mind the particular position of disadvantaged schools.