Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 4

Adjournment Debate. - Capitation Grants.

Mr. O'Shea

Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl as ucht an seans a fháil an cás tábhachtach seo a phlé os comhair na Dála. Mainstream primary schools into which special needs children are integrated are paid a £50 capitation rate for the special needs children. This is the same rate of capitation which is paid for all other pupils, yet special needs pupils attending special schools or special classes in mainstream schools qualify the schools for rates of capitation ranging from £253 to £426 for the under 12 year olds and from £413 to £426 for 12 year olds and older, depending on the disability. It is also interesting to note that pupils in scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge attract a £70 per pupil capitation rate.

The capitation rates applied to special needs children clearly demonstrate that State policy discriminates against the integration of special needs pupils into mainstream schools. I put it to the Minister that integration should be an option for any parent of a special needs pupil. Boards of management in schools should be given every incentive to provide for special needs pupils in mainstream primary schools. The present capitation regime is a substantial disincentive. It is unacceptable and discriminatory and requires urgent and comprehensive redress.

Whereas this year's Estimates make no provision in this regard, I can assure the Minister that if he seeks to introduce a Supplementary Estimate to bring about the required changes in the 1998-9 school year, he will have the wholehearted support of the Labour Party. Indeed, the cost would not be substantial for the remainder of 1998. I strongly urge the Minister to do this.

Arguments may be advanced in regard to the cost, in particular, in order to seek to prevent this change. However, I strongly assert that integration is good, not alone for the special needs pupils, but also for the extended school community, in that their integration brings out the best in others. This aspect of inclusiveness is within our reach as a community — the Department of Education and Science can be the final catalyst in its realisation.

Mr. Martin

I thank Deputy O'Shea for raising this issue, which he has raised on a number of occasions in different fora. I agree we need to invest further funding in the support of children with special needs, especially where they are integrated into mainstream schools. The issue which needs to be considered in the context of the point raised by the Deputy is what is the best means of achieving this. In general, I do not believe the core capitation funding system is central to this question.

Capitation funding is intended to contribute towards the day to day operating costs of national schools. The funding is intended to contribute towards the cost of such items as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general upkeep and general teaching aids required in the schools.

The standard annual capitation grant payable to primary schools is £50 per pupil. This payment is made in respect of all children enrolled in ordinary classes in a school and would, as the Deputy suggests, include any special needs children who are enrolled on a fully integrated basis.

Special enhanced capitation rates are paid in respect of children with special needs who attend special schools or special classes dedicated to children with particular special needs. These special rates can range from £253 to £426 per pupil, depending on the level of need involved. Children attending special schools or special classes attached to ordinary schools would generally have a level of special need which renders them unable to attend ordinary national schools on a fully integrated basis.

The difference in the level of capitation funding attracted by pupils attending special schools or special classes and those attending ordinary classes on a fully integrated basis arises from the reduced number of pupils involved in each special classroom situation.

The number of children per classroom in special schools and special classes will be significantly lower than the number in an ordinary national school classroom. However, the general operating costs arising in both situations in terms of light, heating etc. will not be reduced because of the lesser number of pupils in attendance. As a consequence, the level of funding attracted by each child attending a special class needs to be correspondingly greater than the norm to meet the standard operating costs which will continue to be incurred.

For example, a special class for children with a mild mental handicap will cater for a maximum of 13 children. Such a classroom would give rise to the same ongoing operating costs as an ordinary classroom in a national school which would cater for a significantly higher number of pupils. It is necessary, therefore, that the special class children attract a correspondingly higher rate of capitation funding to meet the costs involved.

It is important to distinguish between arrangements relating to the funding of schools' ongoing operating costs and funding requirements which might arise where, for example, a child with a disability requires a special piece of equipment. Special separate funding arrangements are in place to deal with special equipment needs and any school can make application to my Department for funding towards the purchase of such equipment. The same situation applies to capital costs which a school may be obliged to expend to facilitate the integration of children with special needs.

I also assure the Deputy that my Department will consider applications from mainstream national schools for the provision of specialised supports for pupils with special needs who have been fully integrated into the mainstream system. However, I agree with the Deputy that easier access to such funding needs to be provided and I hope to be able to move further in this direction in the future.

The Dáil adjourned at 10.40 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 17 June 1998.