There has been significant improvements in the levels of direct funding to second level school in recent years.
In addition to the improvements in the standard per capita grant that now stands at €298 per pupil from January last, voluntary secondary schools have also benefited under the School Services Support initiative. Introduced with effect from the 2000/01 school year, the support services grant for secondary schools has been increased from €127 per pupil in 2003 to €159 per pupil from January last. These grants are in addition to the per capita funding of up to €40,000 per school that is provided by my Department to secondary schools towards secretarial and caretaking services.
I am committed to further improving the funding position of second level schools in the light of available resources.