Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 7

Written Answers. - Capitation Grants.

Seán Haughey

Question:

381 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the payment of capitation grants to Our Lady of Consolation national school, Donnycarney, Dublin 5; the reason this grant is split with specific designations on the way it should be used; if this is normal procedure; if a meeting has been arranged with his Department to discuss the school's current funding difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4904/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I presume the Deputy is referring to the supplementary capitation grant which is paid to Our Lady of Consolation national school as a result of the school's inclusion in the disadvantaged areas scheme.

All schools which have disadvantaged area status receive special supplementary capitation funding at a rate of £30 per pupil. The purpose of this funding is to assist the schools in combating educational disadvantage in their area.

All schools receiving this extra funding are required to apply the funding as follows: £16 per pupil for supplementary capitation; £9 per pupil for the purchase of materials-equipment, and £5 per pupil to facilitiate home-school-community liaison activities.

The reason for the designations is to ensure that the funding in question is properly applied in the alleviation of disadvantage in the schools.

I understand that officials in my Department have made arrangements to meet representatives of the school in question to discuss the school's current financial difficulties.