Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004
41 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that schools are using the capitation grant for purposes for which it is not intended due to inadequate funding for school running costs; her views on whether the grant is wholly inadequate; if she will increase the grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30526/04]
View answerCapitation grants are intended to contribute towards the general operating costs of national schools which would include heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, painting, teaching aids and other miscellaneous charges.
Since 1997 the standard rate of capitation grant has been increased from £45, €57.14, per pupil to €121.58 with effect from 1 January 2004, an increase of almost 113% in the period.
Provision has been made in the financial allocation announced in the recently published Book of Estimates for a further increase of €12 per pupil in the capitation grant in the current school year. This is a clear demonstration of my commitment to improve the financial position of primary schools.
The question of increasing the rate of capitation grant in the future will be considered in the context of available resources and priorities within the education sector.
