I raise the issue of the provision of minor works grants for schools. School principals throughout the country are dismayed and concerned that there was no mention of the minor works grants scheme in the budget. For schools, the grant was always a vital part of school funding. Its removal a number of years ago caused difficulties for school managements in carrying out basic repairs, be it maintenance of school infrastructure or equipment. The rates applicable typically were such that a school with about 50 pupils, for example, could have expected to receive a grant of €6,400, whereas a school with 300 pupils could have expected to receive a grant of €11,000. We all know that the failure to maintain and invest in the upkeep of schools is false economy. The old adage of a stitch in time saves nine springs to mind. As Members know, the grant was spent on the physical infrastructure of the school and items of school equipment, including IT-related equipment. The money might have been needed for general maintenance which could have been the replacement of windows, the purchase of PE equipment, as well as the repair of equipment such as computers, printers, etc. It was for all of the basic stuff that kept schools going. Principals also state that having certainty about whether the grant would be paid was nearly as important as the grant, as it allowed the board of management to manage the budget required for various minor works throughout the year. As we all know, the board of management is made up of volunteers who work for nothing on behalf of the community. We are very lucky to have them and cherish their involvement. The very least they deserve is the security of knowing what they will get, if anything. At the end of the day, no funds for schools means extra fund-raising for parents, which is another form of taxation. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Education and Skills to address the confusion about whether the school grant is to be paid this year?