Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 525: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will clarify the announcement of 18 May 2009 pertaining to the National Education Welfare Board's boost in personnel; if the visiting teacher service for travellers will be the only employees of his Department affected by the said announcement; if teachers of this service will continue to be direct employees of his Department; and if the VTST will retain their existing primary teacher terms and conditions. [24916/09]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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In May this year I announced plans to expand the remit of the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) with effect from the 1st September 2009, to include responsibility for the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL), the School Completion Programme (SCP) and the Visiting Teacher Service (VTS) for Traveller pupils as well as the National Educational Welfare Service. The expanded remit will bring together four individual services under one common management team thereby providing for a single, more focussed, strategic direction at local, regional and national levels reflecting equally the nature and strength of each of the services.

The integration of these services brings together some 750 personnel employed throughout the country under the management of the new expanded NEWB strengthening the functions of the individual services while contributing significantly to the capacity of the NEWB to deliver on its statutory remit. The underlying rationale for this new single strategic approach, acknowledging and utilising the combined strengths and capacities of the four services, is to deliver better outcomes for children, families and schools.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 526: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application in respect of audio visual equipment for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24936/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I take it the Deputy is referring to the Dormant Accounts-funded Small Scale ICT Scheme for schools included in DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools).

In April 2007, my Department announced details of this once–off scheme, which was approved for support in 2007 under the Educational Disadvantage category of the Dormant Accounts Fund. Eligibility for the scheme was restricted to the primary and post-primary schools that are participating in my Department's School Support Programme under DEIS. The scheme provides for small-scale grants, primarily for the purchase of the following types of ICT equipment to support children's learning and development: Digital Camera; Digital Video Camera; Laptop; Tablet PC; Other Computer; Data Projector; Interactive Whiteboard (including software); Wireless mouse and keyboard; Educational Software.

The school referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant of €6,500 to purchase 10 computers, 1 digital camera and 1 digital video camera. In October 2007, the Government approved a grant of €6,500. The full grant was paid to North Tipperary VEC in July, 2008.