The funding arrangements for the different school types at second level have developed in an ad hoc manner and reflect the different traditions and structures of the voluntary secondary, comprehensive and community and VEC sectors. This evolution has, by its very nature, generated funding anomalies and structures that lack uniformity and cohesion. In this regard, the report of the steering group on the funding of second level schools represents a comprehensive review of the funding arrangements and is a valuable document in both its analysis and clarity of approach. It is my intention that this report will continue to inform policy on school funding.
While I intend to direct my energies to address the issues of equity and transparency of funding, I emphasise that my priority is the adequacy of funding levels for schools in the second level sector. I have already shown my commitment and determination in this regard by establishing the school services support fund. The introduction of this fund is a significant initiative in the funding of our schools. A school with 500 pupils will now receive additional annual funding of £20 per pupil or £10,000, with a minimum payment for smaller schools of £4,000 per school. This fund will channel an additional £4 million to voluntary secondary schools each year.
In addition, the schools will benefit from a further increase in the standard per capita grant. The grant was increased to £184 from £177 last year. It was further increased by £8 from September this year to £192 and I am particularly pleased to inform the House that I am increasing the per capita grant by £10 for the next school year. This will bring the capitation grant to £202, an increase of £25 per pupil per annum. For a school with 500 pupils this amounts to an extra £12,500 per annum and a total capitation grant of £101,000 towards general expenses. In addition, and in recognition of the cashflow needs of schools, I am arranging to bring forward the payment of the next instalment of the per capita grant to next month.
My approach to date has clearly shown my commitment and determination to improve funding at second level and I intend to build further this progress.