Vol. 452 No. 3
18 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to assist primary schools with funding for equipment to train for computer literacy, particularly primary schools which have been designated as disadvantaged. [5090/95]
My Department provides capitation grants to assist schools in meeting their general operating costs. These costs include the purchase of educational equipment and teaching aids, such as computers. The Deputy will be aware that I have made significant improvements in these grants over the last three years. The standard capitation grant for primary schools has been increased from £28 to £40 per pupil over the period 1992 to 1995, while the special capitation grant available to schools in disadvantaged areas has been increased from £45 to £65 per pupil over the same period.
In addition, over the last few years, I have made special additional funding allocations to schools in disadvantaged areas which were encountering serious financial difficulties. In 1993, a sum of £250,000 was allocated for this purpose. In 1994, I increased this sum to £320,000. I am currently considering the possibility of making further allocations available in 1995. Furthermore, as part of a special initiative begun in 1990, my Department has to date provided 133 computers with wordprocessing and database software for selected schools. Under this initiative, priority was given to schools which have pupils with special needs for whom the computers would be of particular assistance. Twenty-eight of these computers were allocated to selected schools in disadvantaged areas.
In addition to the above measures, the Deputy will be aware that in 1994, I took a particular initiative in relation to the island schools. In the case of the 14 schools designated as island schools, arrangements were made for the installation of communications facilities including telephones, fax equipment, modems, computers and printers. My Department's inspectorate is in continuing contact with these schools to offer support and guidance to them in utilising this additional equipment to best effect.
