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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 6

Written Answers. - School Funding.

Mary Harney

Question:

39 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Education her views on the growing dependence on parents' voluntary fundraising efforts to equip schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21186/96]

I am fully aware of the ongoing demands for increased funding from primary and second level schools. However, I must point out that, notwithstanding the many competing demands on budgetary resources, since becoming Minister for Education, I have been able to secure significant increase in funding for both primary and second level schools.

At primary level my Department provides funding towards the day-to-day running costs of schools through capitation grants. Since 1992 I have been able to increase the capitation rate for primary schools from a level of £28 per pupil in 1992 to £45 per pupil in 1996. This amounts to an increase of 60 per cent over the period in question. Furthermore, I have introduced special higher rates of grant for schools serving areas which are designated as disadvantaged. The rate of grant for such schools currently stands at £75 per pupil.

A local contribution of £10 per pupil, or £9.50 in the case of schools designated as disadvantaged, complements the capitation grant. These rates represent a freezing of the local contribution for 1996 at its 1995 level.

In addition, I have increased by 18 per cent the capitation rate for voluntary secondary schools from £150 in 1992 to £177 in 1996. In January 1994 I provided an additional capitation grant of £15 per pupil to schools designated as disadvantaged. This additional grant was increased to £30 from January 1996.

Corresponding increases have also been made to the budgets of the vocational education committees and community and comprehensive schools. I have also provided substantial support towards the provision of secretarial and caretaking services at primary and second levels.
Contributions from parents and other sources are not compulsory but, where they are available on a genuinely voluntary basis, they are a welcome addition to school resources. The manner in which such contributions are collected is a matter for school authorities. It should be emphasised, however, that the manner of such collection should not create a situation where parents and pupils can reasonably infer that the contributions take on a compulsory character. The Deputy can be assured that the funding of education at both primary and second level is the subject of ongoing review by my Department.
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