Eamon Ryan
Question:64 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if an attempt is being made to redress the imbalance in maintenance and infrastructural spending between primary and second level schools. [14624/02]
Written Answers. - School Capitation Rates.
Since 1997 the funding allocated to primary and second level schools has been increased substantially in accordance with the Government's commitment to giving education a clear priority in the allocation of resources.
At primary level schools' running costs have been traditionally met by my Department's scheme of capitation grants. These grants are intended to contribute towards the general operating costs of primary schools. The capitation grant has been increased substantially since 1997. It has been increased from €57.14 per pupil in 1997 to €101.58 per pupil in this school year. In addition a further increase of €10 per pupil will apply from September in respect of the 2002-03 school year.
Special enhanced capitation rates are paid in respect of children with special needs who attend special schools or special classes dedicated to children with particular special needs. These special rates can range from €359.34 to €579 per pupil depending on the level of need involved. These rates will increase by €10 per pupil with effect from September. Under the devolved scheme of minor works each primary school receives an annual grant of €3,809 together with €12.70 per pupil.
At post-primary level the main per capita grant amounts to €256.49 per pupil. The grant was increased from €224.74 to €233.63 in 1999. It was further increased by €10.16 to €243.79 in September 2000, and to €256.49 in September 2001. A further increase of €10 is due from September next in respect of the 2002-03 school year which will bring the rate per pupil to €266.49. For a school with 500 pupils this amounts to an extra €20,875 per annum and a total capitation grant of €133,245 towards general expenses. An additional per capita grant of €38.09 per pupil is paid to disadvantaged schools bringing the total grant in the case of such a school with 500 pupils to €152,290.
The available data does not enable valid comparisons to be made between the levels of grants paid and the actual costs of running schools at primary and post-primary levels. It is accepted that the maintenance costs for second level schools are much greater on a unit cost basis than those in primary schools. In general second level schools are larger than primary schools and this leads to higher unit costs for heat, light, power, maintenance and cleaning.
In addition, the second level capitation is required to cover a different range of expenditures. Second level schools provide a broader curriculum, including technical subjects where the costs of materials may be greater than at primary level. Specialist equipment and rooms are required for some subjects leading to higher maintenance-replacement costs.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Government is committed, under its agreed programme, to continue to improve funding for all schools.