Michael Creed
Question:18 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will implement the Blackstock reports on the funding of secondary schools, which were published by his Department in August 1998 and June 1999. [6919/01]
Priority Questions. - Schools Funding.
Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods): As the Deputy is aware, the report of the steering group on the funding of second level schools, that had available to it the report of a technical working group, represents a comprehensive review of the funding arrangements of post primary schools and is a valuable document in both its analysis and clarity of approach. The recommendations made in the steering group's report for the future funding arrangements of second level schools are under continuing review. At the core of the recommendations made for future funding arrangements are the principles of equity of treatment, transparency of funding structures and adequacy of funding levels. Although my priority is to focus on the issue of adequacy of funding, I am aware of the traditional anomalies that have evolved in the funding arrangements for the different school types at second level, and I intend to bring greater uniformity and cohesion to this aspect of the funding of schools.
I have already shown my commitment in this regard by establishing the school services support fund. The introduction of this support 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. This fund will channel an additional £7 million to schools each year. While provision for support services, including secretarial and caretaking, is a particular focus of this fund, schools are being given discretion, in line with that available in relation toper capita grants, as to how this additional funding is best utilised in the interests of their pupils. In addition, 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 last to £192 and will be significantly increased by £10 for the next school year. 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. An additional per capita grant of £30 per pupil is paid to disadvantaged schools, thereby bringing the total grant in the case of such a school with 500 pupils to £116,000.
Additional information.My approach to date has clearly shown my commitment and determination to address the needs of schools. I am committed to improving further the funding position of second level schools in the light of available resources. I assure the Deputy that it is my intention that the recommendations of the steering group report on the funding of second level schools will inform policy on future school funding.
I want to ask a number of supplementaries and I will attempt to be brief. Did I understand the Minister to say that reports published in August 1998 and June 1999 dealing with the lack of equity in funding for proposed primary schools are still under review in his Department? The Minister went on to refer to the school services support fund. Does he accept that, while this fund is welcome, it does not bridge the gap to bring about equity and that it further perpetuates it because it does not level the playing pitch in terms of the funding available to Catholic post-primary schools as opposed to what is available to community comprehensive schools? Does he accept that a core finding of the Blackstock report is that Catholic post-primary schools receive 25% less funding per pupil relative to community and comprehensive schools and 12% less than vocational schools, and that nothing other than an immediate recognition of that and a bridging of the gap in terms of funding to be provided will resolve this problem?
To complete my reply, I assure the Deputy that it is my intention that the recommendations of the steering group on the funding of second level schools will inform policy on future school funding. We are continuing to bring about a situation where the requirements are met.
The way in which the resources are provided to second level schools reflects the different management and ownership arrangements for vocational and community schools. That is something which is obviously historical and which has developed over generations. In effect what we are doing is working towards bringing about much greater unity in this area and the school enrolments were seen in the Blackstock report as being the principal driver of school funding for all schools at second level. We are working on that basis and that is why we have increased the capitation grant and introduced a mechanism to increase the support in a supplementary way, which is what Blackstock recommended.
Does the Minister accept that an across the board increase in capitation does not deal with the inequity and while that increase is welcome, it does not deal with the discrimination that still exists and which was identified in stark terms in the Blackstock report?
I want to draw the Minister's attention to three specific issues. On the cost of insurance, the Department pays directly the cost of school insurance which, for a 500 pupil school, can be approximately £10,000 per annum for community and comprehensive schools, yet the Catholic voluntary schools have to pay this directly out of their capitation. Another area of discrimination is the provision of caretakers and secretaries. A 500 pupil community school will have one full-time secretary who is paid directly by the Department, yet the voluntary sector has to pay that money out of its allocation because the level of assistance it receives is only £10,000. In the area of cleaning and repairs, a direct grant is provided by the Department but no such provision is made for the voluntary school sector. When will the Minister implement the findings of the report?
We are in the process of implementing them. We have provided considerable additional funds and we will continue to do so. I meant to congratulate Deputy Creed on becoming spokesman on education for the main Opposition party. I wish him the best in the post. There is discretion in terms of the support fund in that not alone can it be provided for caretakers and secretaries but it can be allocated elsewhere if they so wish.
That does not bridge the gap. That is available everywhere.
I appreciate there is a big gap to be bridged but it is on its way to being bridged.