Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

What I am saying is that discretion in this regard will not be a legacy of mine at all, and nor will it be a legacy of the Minister of State. The schools came up for the grant and were signed off. In fact, both of the private schools failed in the first round and I signed off on that. They then won on appeal and I signed off on that. That is how it happened.

A different point the Deputy made is very fair, namely, that there would be more merit in giving the grants to disadvantaged schools. A further change in the recent round gave a more favourable weighting to disadvantaged schools. I would be delighted to go around the Deputy's constituency with her to see the disadvantaged schools to which she refers. I am sure they would be eligible for the grants, and if they do not own their property or land, they will certainly be eligible for equipment grants.

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