Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2013
50. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the problems that schools are experiencing following cuts to capitation from €200 per child to €176 per child; if he will ensure that no further cuts to capitation will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43077/13]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware the multi annual school funding measures introduced in Budget 2012, provided a reduction in the funding for capitation and related grants of 1% in 2014 and 1% in 2015. Due to my decision to retain posts from previous disadvantage schemes in DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 primary schools, it was necessary to generate alternative savings within the primary education budget. This was achieved in 2012 by bringing forward 1.5% of the 2% reduction in overall capitation funding originally scheduled for this year. I cannot provide specific information on the effect, if any, the reduction in capitation funding to schools has had on the provision of services. Given the extremely difficult economic circumstances that this country is facing and the fact that every Department has had to find considerable cost-savings, all expenditure must be examined to see if cost-savings can be found. In that context, I cannot give the Deputy any measure of assurance in relation to primary capitation rates.
