The programme for Government is strong in a commitment to the primary education sector but people from several schools in Tipperary - it is the same throughout the country - have contacted me about the minor works grant, which is long overdue. The grant is capped at €5,500 but is vital to small schools across the country, although I am speaking specifically about Tipperary. The capitation grant has been cut severely and the difficult economic conditions made it very hard to fund-raise. This funding is badly needed by some schools and it is the difference between keeping them running and having them closed. It is not fair to boards of management, principals, staff or pupils and their families. Will the Taoiseach please ask the Minister for Education and Skills when these will be paid?

This morning during Question Time the Minister made it clear that the minor works grant would be paid this year but it would not be paid in 2018. That is absolutely unacceptable as schools are reliant on it. It is no longer a grant and it never was such a grant; it should never have been called a grant. This concerns moneys vital to the running of schools. I ask the Taoiseach and his Government to make it clear that these moneys should be available on a statutory basis to all schools. In only one school year of 2012 to 2013 since the scheme's introduction in 1997 was no money made available to schools. Schools rely on this and they cannot exist without it.

The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, announced yesterday the payment of the minor works grant on a per capita basis. I will check with him about 2018. The Deputy's information is not my information and I will check with him about it.

It is the information we got in the House this morning.

I take this opportunity to recognise the extraordinary results in reading that Irish pupils achieved. They are the best readers in Europe, which is down to three factors.

The Taoiseach should therefore ensure that the schools are paid.

These are the decision of the Government to invest in reading and literacy in particular, the excellent work of our primary teachers and the genius and intelligence of Irish children.