I thank Deputy Kirk for raising this issue. The Minister for Education and Science recently arranged for the publication of the report of the steering group on the funding of second level schools and he has arranged for a copy to be forwarded to Deputy Kirk.
Traditionally the various sectors within second level education have been funded on the basis of different arrangements. This report represents a comprehensive review of these funding arrangements and is a most valuable document in both its analysis and clarity of approach. As regards current arrangements, voluntary secondary schools receive financial assistance towards their running costs under the terms of the free education scheme. The Department of Education and Science 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.
Since 1997 the funding allocated to voluntary secondary schools has been increased substantially in accordance with the Government's commitment to giving education a clear priority in the allocation of resources as set out in our policy document, An Action Programme for the Millennium. As the Deputy may be aware, the standard per capita grant for recognised pupils in voluntary secondary schools was increased to £184 from £177 in 1999 with a further increase of £8 planned this year. Assistance towards the provision of secretarial services in schools has also been increased from £25 to £30 per pupil, thereby increasing the maximum annual grant from £8,750 to £10,500 per eligible school. In addition, schools benefited from the IT 2000 initiative and the library books grant.
I want to avail of this opportunity to draw the Deputy's attention to the Minister's recent announcement of the introduction of a school services support fund at second level from next September. His approach in establishing this fund is to address deficiencies in the existing funding structures. Schools will now receive additional annual funding of £20 per pupil with a minimum payment of £4,000 per school. This fund will channel an additional £7 million to schools each year. The flexibility given to schools under this initiative will be supported by the putting in place of guidelines that will strike the right balance between allowing a reasonable level of discretion and achieving the implementation of national policy priorities.
While funding arrangements at second level have evolved in an ad hoc manner and reflect the different traditions and structures of the voluntary secondary, community, comprehensive and VEC sectors, the Minister is fully committed to an equitable and fair funding regime for second level schools and he will continue to prioritise available resources to address the needs of schools.
