Vol. 515 No. 1
227 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Mayo will have funding for the cost of attending a swimming pool which is approximately 20 miles away and forms an important part of the physical education of the children in the school. [5552/00]
Schools running costs are met by the Department's scheme of capitation grants and the local contribution. The capitation grant has increased substantially since the Government assumed office in 1997. It was increased by £5 in 1998 and £10 in 1999, bringing the standard grant to £60 per pupil. This constitutes an increase of 33% over that period. In addition, the grant will be increased by a further £11 by the end of the 2000-01 school year.
These increases represent a meaningful response to the funding needs of primary schools. I remain committed to further improving the funding position of schools in the context of forthcoming budgets and in the light of available resources.
The running costs of primary schools are not budgeted for individually by my Department and it would not be feasible to grant aid more than 3,000 schools in such a manner. In the circumstances I regret that I am not in a position to provide the type of funding sought by the Deputy.
