Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Nov 1993

Vol. 435 No. 10

Written Answers. - Assistance to Schools.

Ivor Callely

Question:

56 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education the assistance, if any, that is available to schools, under the aegis of her Department that, having regard to the capitation grant and other voluntary contributions, still experience financial difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

As the Deputy will be aware I secured an increase of £3.4 million in the 1993 provision for capitation grants for primary schools. This enabled an increase of £5 to be provided in the standard rate of grant bringing it to a level of £33 per pupil with pro-rata increases for certain other categories of school. It also enabled me to introduce a new initiative aimed at channelling additional funding to selected primary schools in disadvantaged areas.

Schools currently included in the disadvantaged areas scheme already receive extra financial assistance in addition to concessionary ex-quota teaching posts. The level of assistance involved currently stands at £17 per pupil which is comprised of—

(i) a supplementary capitation grant of £10 per pupil,

(ii) a grant of £5 per pupil for books and materials, and

(iii) £2 per pupil towards home/ school/community liaison initiatives.

There is a total of 258 primary schools in the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme at present.

In pursuance of my policy of targeting additional resources at schools serving children from disadvantaged areas, I have also made an additional £250,000 available this year as a special initiative to alleviate the burden on certain schools in disadvantaged areas which have been identified as having particular heavy financial difficulties at present.

Schools have been selected for receipt of this support on the basis of claims supported by financial data submitted by schools management.

Based on the level of claims thus received, it has been decided to allocate each selected school a sum equivalent to 30 per cent of its declared financial shortfall.

A total of 44 schools have been selected for assistance under this initiative and the schools in question have been advised in recent days.

I am satisfied that the measures which I have outlined will have a significant impact in alleviating the problems of those schools which are experiencing serious financial difficulties at present.