Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2004
413 Mr. English asked the Minister for Education and Science if she intends to raise the level of capitation grants to voluntary secondary schools to bring them in line with other post-primary sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30313/04]
View answerI recently announced, in the context of the 2005 Estimates, an increase in the standard per capita grant from €274 to €286 per pupil, with effect from 1 January next. The increase will bring the per capita grant received by disadvantaged schools to €324 per pupil. Secondary schools will benefit further under the school services support initiative. The initial support grant of €25 per pupil that was introduced for second level schools in September 2000 will increase to €103 from January next. The voluntary secondary schools grant, which has been significantly enhanced in recent years — to €131 from last January — will be further increased by €10 per pupil, bringing the overall grant for such schools to €145 from next January. The increases are in addition to the range of equalisation grants of up to €15,554 per school per annum that have been approved for voluntary secondary schools. Schools have welcomed the improvements. The provision I have made in the context of the 2005 Estimates for the significant increases in the funding of voluntary secondary schools is a clear demonstration of my commitment to prioritise available resources to address the needs of schools.
