Vol. 559 No. 6
43 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science the average amount raised by primary schools and second level schools through voluntary contributions at the latest year for which figures are available; if parents will be asked to make an increased level of contribution in 2003 in view of the estimates for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26702/02]
My Department provides funding towards the day-to-day running costs of primary and second level schools. At primary level, the funding is provided by means of per capita grants. At second level, depending on the type of school involved, it is provided by a mixture of per capita and block grants and budgetary allocations. The rates of these grants has been substantially increased in recent years and a number of new grants have also been introduced. In line with the commitment in the agreed programme for Government, I intend to continue the policy of implementing significant increases in direct school funding during the life of this Administration. I am aware that some schools seek and obtain voluntary contributions from parents. However, as schools are not required to submit returns of voluntary contributions received by them, my Department has no basis on which to estimate the total amount of such contributions.
