Vol. 497 No. 6
31 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the substantial gap in resources per primary pupil spent in Ireland compared to the rest of the OECD countries; and if this accounts for the prevalence of educational disadvantage in Ireland. [26001/98]
The recently published Education at a Glance indicators show that in 1995, prior to the present Government's tenure of office, Ireland spent only 60 per cent of the OECD average per student at primary level. This poor performance on a per capita basis has arisen historically. However, it would be too simplistic to say that resources alone are relevant in impacting on educational disadvantage. Other countries which have higher per capita spending figures than us have serious problems of educational disadvantage.
This said, it was precisely because of the present Government's awareness of the inadequacy of funding in the primary sector that it is addressing the problem. Following from the inadequate provision in the 1997 budget, this Government quickly and determinedly began allocating additional resources to primary education. Before any changes which might be made arising from today's statement by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, the 1999 Estimates already show primary education receiving 20 per cent more than the amount provided in the budget two years ago. This level of increase will certainly improve Ireland's relative standing vis à vis other OECD countries when the comparative spending figures are updated.
Following the 1997 freeze on school funding, I have secured funding to make sure that basic direct capitation funding will be one third higher next year than when the Government took office. In fact, next year's increase in direct funding will be the largest in the history of the State by some considerable margin. These increases in the capitation grant represent important steps in the process of increasing capitation funding at primary level and I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to pursue this policy.
We accept primary education requires additional funding, but we must first target issues of disadvantage and address the needs of children with special needs. The issue of educational disadvantage is not simply one of resources. It is crucial the right approaches are taken and that schools are assisted in accessing the supports which will help them address the needs of their pupils. An effective disadvantage strategy must include changes of approach and attitude.
Additional information
I have been reviewing my Department's overall response to the problem of educational disadvantage. My objective is to ensure all available resources are properly targeted so that children who are educationally disadvantaged receive the support they need to maximise their potential in the educational system. To achieve this, our actions must be co-ordinated more effectively to ensure we focus on identifying and expanding best practice. The establishment of a new national educational psychological service and a new approach to school attendance are two areas which demonstrate the development of targeted initiatives.
It is the Government's intention to continue to both improve the funding of all primary schools and to address the needs of educationally disadvantaged pupils in primary schools.
Does the Minister agree that, against the background of the figures mentioned, his decision not to allocate a single additional teacher to the primary system in each of the past two Estimates is extraordinary? How does he square that with the declaration in the programme for Government that primary education is to get priority in access to funds? It is receiving the smallest share of funds available. Third level education is running away with what is available.
That is incorrect. Our record compares favourably with that of the previous Government of which Deputy Bruton was a member. I welcome his conversion and that of the Fine Gael Party to the need to invest in primary education. The last budget introduced by the Government of which Deputy Bruton was a member attempted to reduce teacher numbers and we had to introduce a Supplementary Estimate at the end of the year to correct that. It also froze capitation spending.
We have honoured our pre-election pledges on staffing. We have more to do and have signalled that. A targeted approach is needed in terms of remedial teachers, the establishment of a psychological service and a school attendance service. Those are two basic structural deficiencies within the system.
How come the Minister has not allocated a single additional teacher to the primary system since he took office?
I have been in office only 15 months.
There have been two Estimates.
The Deputy should have patience.
