Vol. 482 No. 3
383 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the basis on which primary schools are required to lodge £10 per pupil as a condition for the payment of a capitation grant of £45 per pupil; and his views on whether this is a questionable practice in view of the fact that it only applies at primary level where education is compulsory. [17843/97]
My Department provides capitation grants towards the day to day running costs of primary schools. The standard rate of grant currently stands at £45 per pupil. The position is that the State grant is being supplemented by a local contribution. Traditionally, at least 25 per cent of the capitation grant had to be paid. Since 1995, however, this local contribution has been frozen at a rate of £10 per pupil, or £9.50 per pupil in the case of schools designated as disadvantaged.
The State is obliged under the Constitution to provide for free primary education and to ensure that such education is available to children. This is achieved through the partnership between State and local community which is expressed in the State grant combined with the local contribution. In this context, I do not view the local contribution towards the education of children as a questionable practice.
The Deputy can be assured that the funding of primary education will continue to receive a clear priority in the allocation of resources in line with the commitment given in An Action Programme for the Millennium.
