Vol. 511 No. 6
408 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if an adequate arrangement will be put in place for funding and resources for voluntary secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25385/99]
Voluntary secondary schools receive financial assistance towards their running costs under the terms of free education scheme. The Department meets the cost of teacher salaries and allowances and makes an annual per capita grant towards the recurrent costs of these schools. In addition, these schools may also be eligible for assistance under a range of other grants available under the scheme including grants for the employment of caretakers and secretaries and curricular support.
Notwithstanding the many competing demands on budgetary resources, I have increased funding to the voluntary secondary school sector significantly since 1997. This year the standard per capita grant was increased by £7 with a further increase of £8 planned from September next year. The level of secretarial grants has also been increased in the period. Schools generally have benefited from the IT 2000 initiative and the library books grant. Schools have welcomed these improvements.
I am committed to improving further the funding position of voluntary secondary schools in the context of forthcoming budgets and in light of available resources.
409 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will implement the recommendations of the technical working groups on school funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25386/99]
I understand that the steering group on funding of second level schools, which had available to it the report of a technical working group, has finalised its report and that it will be presented to me shortly. At that stage, I will publish the report.
