Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 3

Written Answers. - Capitation Grants.

Noel Ahern

Question:

188 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education the current scheme of capitation fees paid to primary and secondary schools, including the capitation levels, the increases over the past ten years and the scheme of fees paid to disadvantaged schools; and the present position in relation to the proposal to introduce fees to reflect the various levels of disadvantage, as there is with the present system which does not take account of severely disadvantaged urban schools.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The current levels of capitation grant to primary and secondary schools are £33 and £150 per annum per pupil, respectively.

In the case of primary schools, there is a standard rate with varying rates applying to special categories as set out on the following Table A. In the case of secondary schools, there is only one level of per capita grant with the exception of schools giving instruction through the medium of Irish which receive an enhanced per capita on various rates.

The increases in the standard rates of grant per pupil between 1983 and 1993 are shown in Table B.

In addition to receiving the standard capitation grant, primary schools in disadvantaged areas have since 1984 received financial support under the disadvantaged areas scheme.

Originally, this support was delivered to needy schools through the Diocesan Authorities who were given a block grant for this purpose. The schools in question also received direct supplementary grants of up to £5 per pupil from my Department. Since 1990, these arrangements have been replaced by the direct payment of a supplementary capitation grant of £17 per pupil to schools which have been designated as disadvantaged.

In addition to maintaining the £17 grant in the current year, I have decided to allocate a further £250,000 to schools which are already included in the disadvantaged areas scheme and which have particular financial needs at this time. The process of selecting schools for this extra funding is currently taking place. In the current year, an additional 50 new schools will be designated as disadvantaged. The schools selected will also qualify for the £17 per pupil grant.

There is no special per capita arrangement for secondary schools in disadvantaged areas but special provision is made for such schools by way of additional teachers including home-school liaison teachers.

The procedures for selecting schools for disadvantaged status were put in place in 1990 following discussions with school management and teacher representatives. The selection process has regard to a range of agreed socio-economic criteria and allows schools to be assessed on the basis of priority of need.

I am satisfied that the measures I have outlined will make a significant contribution towards meeting the needs of schools in disadvantaged areas.

Table A:

Rates of Grant for Ordinary National Schools in 1993

National schools in which a board of management has been established	£33.00 per pupil
National schools maintained by the Office of Public Works	£13.20 per pupil
Minimum grant to small schools	£1,980
Minimum grant to small schools maintained by the Office of Public Works	£990
Special classes in ordinary national schools	£76.20 per pupil

Rates of Grant for Special Schools for Handicapped Children

Visually-impaired	£132 per pupil
Emotionally-disturbed	£132 per pupil
Hearing-impaired	£132 per pupil
Physically-handicapped	£92.70 per pupil
Moderately mentally-handicapped	£92.70 per pupil
Others	£76.20 per pupil

Scoileanna Lánghaelacha

These schools will continue, subject to certain conditions, to receive an additional bonus of 50 per cent.

Local Contribution

At least £8.25. This requirement applies to schools in all of the above categories.

Table B

Increases in standard grant to primary and secondary schools 1983-93.

Year	Rate of Grant rate
Primary Schools	Secondary Schools
	£	£
1983	17	123
1984	21	131
1985	22	136
1986	24	140
1987	24
1988	24
1989	26.50	140
1990	28	150
1993	33	150