Written Answers. - Capitation Grants.
Richard Bruton
Question:
119
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
whether he will consider additional capitation grants in schools where pupil numbers are falling rapidly in order to assist the running costs of schools which are no longer fully occupied; and if he would consider alternative mechanisms of support to assist these schools.
[11488/98]
My Department provides capitation grants towards the day to day running costs of schools. In 1998, the standard rate of grant per pupil at primary level was increased from £45 to £50, an increase of 11 per cent. This increase is an important step forward in the process of increasing capitation funding at primary level.
I should point out to the Deputy that there is a minimum rate of grant applicable to schools with an enrolment of 60 pupils or fewer. I increased this minimum grant in 1998 from £2,700 to £3,000.
The way in which funding is 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.
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 VEC overheads and other activities outside of the second level programme. Voluntary secondary schools are funded on aper capita basis while the annual budget for community and comprehensive schools takes into account factors which vary from school to school such as enrolments, age of buildings and size of school.
The capitation rate per pupil attending a voluntary secondary school amounts to £177. An additional capitation grant of £30 per pupil is paid to schools which have been designated as disadvantaged. Accordingly, the overall capitation grant paid to such schools amounts to £207 per pupil. In addition, voluntary secondary schools may also be eligible for assistance under a range of other grants in the free education scheme including grants for the employment of caretakers and secretaries and certain curricular support grants.
The matter of equity of funding between the various sectors at second level is currently being examined by a steering group on funding. Under its terms of reference, the group will draw up a recommended funding framework designed to ensure equal treatment for different schools within the second level sector while taking account of the needs of these different schools. When the group's findings become available, they will inform the manner in which account is taken of the particular circumstances of individual schools for the purpose of allocating resources.
It is my intention to keep the position of schools with declining enrolments under review and allocate available resources to schools in greatest need over the coming years.
