595 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the reasons secondary schools receive less funding from his Department in comparison to community, comprehensive or vocational schools; the further reason there is a differentiation in grants given to schools in this sector for school secretaries, caretakers and insurance purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11397/01]
Written Answers - Schools Funding.
Phil Hogan
Question:648 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science the timescale for the implementation of recommendations contained in the report of funding for second level schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11871/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 595 and 648 together.
As the Deputies will be aware the funding arrangements for our schools have evolved in an ad hoc manner and reflect the traditional sectoral division of our second level system.
I consider that the Blackstock report on the funding of second level schools, 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 Blackstock report for the future funding arrangements of second level schools are under 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 it is my intention to bring greater uniformity and cohesion to this particular aspect of the funding of schools.