Vol. 492 No. 7
23 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to substantially increase the capitation grant for children attending primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15010/98]
The Deputy will be aware that An Action Programme for the Millenium contains a commitment to give primary education a clear priority in the allocation of resources.
This commitment is clearly reflected in the 1998 Estimates, where I have provided for an overall increase of almost 12 per cent in expenditure on primary education as opposed to the 1997 budget allocation. In this context, the 11 per cent increase in the standard rate of capitation grant, from £45 to £50 per pupil, represents an important step forward in the process of increasing capitation funding at primary level.
I assure the Deputy that I will continue to give priority to further increases in the level of capitaion rates to primary schools.
