Vol. 496 No. 6
456 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that underfunded and non-fee paying voluntary secondary schools are given the same resources and funding in 1999 as community and vocational schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23912/98]
In the expenditure Estimates for the public services published last week, I was pleased to announce a major increase in education spending for next year which will be targeted at the areas most in need of additional resources including the funding of voluntary secondary schools. The programme of increased expenditure includes a £7 increase in the standard per capita grant payable to voluntary secondary schools. This compares with a freeze introduced by the last Government.
The way in which resources are provided to second level schools reflects the different management and ownership arrangements for vocational schools and community colleges, community and comprehensive schools and voluntary secondary schools. Consequently, direct comparison between the different sectors is difficult.
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 apart from the second level programme. Voluntary secondary schools are funded on a per capita basis based upon enrolments while the annual budget for community and comprehensive schools takes into account factors which vary from school to school.
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.
