Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 7

Written Answers. - Second Level School Funding.

Colm M. Hilliard

Question:

223 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Education if he has satisfied himself that the vocational/community colleges and the secondary schools are receiving equal treatment regarding financing as it appears that the grant per student is much less to the vocational/community colleges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3834/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The way in which standard basic resources are provided to second-level schools reflects the different management and ownership arrangements for voluntary-secondary schools, vocational schools, community colleges and community and comprehensive schools. Consequently, direct comparison between the different sectors is difficult. The financial allocations for vocational schools and community colleges are made to the vocational education committees as part of a block grant which also covers the vocational education committee overheads and other activities apart from the second-level programme. Voluntary secondary schools are funded on a per capita basis while the annual budget for community and comprehensive schools takes into account factors which vary from school to school such as age of buildings, size of school, location, levels of vandalism etc.

Ultimately, all Department aid towards the recurrent expenditure of second level schools will be made by way of a block grant to the regional education boards (REBs) as is outlined in the White Paper on Education, "Charting our Education Future". The allocation of resources to the REBs for both non-teacher pay and non-pay will be made on the basis of nationally determined criteria. Approved schools will have statutorily based entitlements to current funding on the basis of these criteria.

In the context of the establishment of the REBs, funding mechanisms will be developed to ensure that all second level schools will be funded on an equitable and transparent basis. Common criteria and entitlements will apply to the funding of schools at second level. In this connection, I intend to establish a steering group to draw up a recommended funding framework which would ensure equal treatment for different schools within the second level sector, while taking account of the needs of these different schools.