Vol. 562 No. 3
39 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to provide financial assistance to assist schools with regard to new copyright fees that must be paid by schools in respect of text books or articles that may be photocopied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5841/03]
Schools' running costs have traditionally been met by my Department's scheme of capitation grants. These grants are intended to contribute towards the general operating costs of primary and post-primary schools.
Grants at both levels have increased significantly in recent times. The standard rate of capitation grant for primary schools has been increased from €57.14 per pupil in 1997 to €111.58 per pupil in 2003. At post primary, schools have also benefited from increases in the standard per capita grant. The grant has been increased from €224.74 per pupil in 1997 to €266.49 in the current school year.
Schools are afforded considerable flexibility in the use of these resources to cater for the needs of their pupils. In my view this is, in general, a preferable approach to putting in place grants for specific initiatives such as copyright charges. It is my intention to further improve the financial position of primary and second-level schools to the extent that the availability of resources permits.
