Vol. 495 No. 7
654 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has in place to agree to multi annual agreement with the partners to close the gap between primary and post primary capitation; if he will phase out the local contribution over an agreed period; if he will clarify the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21101/98]
The Deputy will be aware that An Action Programme for the Millennium contains a commitment to give primary education a clear priority in the allocation of resources. I can assure the Deputy that, in the context of the 1999 Estimates, I am currently examining a range of options, including the level of capitation rates to primary schools, with a view to identifying appropriate ways to fulfil this commitment.
The Government's commitment in this regard was clearly reflected in the 1998 Estimates, which provided for an overall increase of almost 12 per cent in expenditure on primary education. In this context, the 11 per cent increase in the standard rate of capitation grant represented an important step forward in the process of improving funding of the primary sector. It is important to note, however, that the difference in grant level between primary and post primary levels reflects the fact that maintenance costs for second-level schools are much greater on a unit cost basis than those in primary schools. In addition, the second-level capitation payment is required to cover a different range of expenditures.
I should point out that 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 the State and local community which is expressed in the State grant combined with the local contribution.
