Richard Bruton
Question:658 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to eliminate the local contribution in the context of the payment of the capitation grant at primary level. [8573/98]
Written Answers. - Primary School Funding.
My Department provides capitation grants towards the day-to-day running costs of primary schools. School authorities are required to supplement the capitation grant with a local contribution, which traditionally amounted to 25 per cent of the State grant.
I have no plans to eliminate the requirement to raise a local contribution. However, since 1995 the local contribution has been frozen at £10 per pupil in the case of mainstream schools and at £9.50 per pupil in the case of schools designated as disadvantaged. The Deputy will agree that this represents a significant reduction on the rate of £12.50 per pupil which would otherwise apply.
The State is obliged under the Constitution to provide free primary education and to ensure that such education is available to children. This is achieved through the partnership between the State and the local community which is expressed in the State grant combined with the local contribution. In this context, I do not view a local contribution towards the education of children as being unreasonable.