My Department provides capitation funding for all recognised primary schools which is dealt with on a per capita basis. The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep in schools and the ancillary services grant to cater for the cost of employing services staff.
Schools are permitted to regard the capitation and ancillary grants as a combined grant.
The standard capitation grant rate is €179 per pupil and the standard ancillary grant rate is €171 per pupil. In the case of small schools each of these grants is based on an enrolment of 60 pupils bringing the total value of these grants to €21,000.
This government has increased the capitation grant in each of the last two budgets.
I understand the need for improved capitation funding and I am pleased to have been able to provide for a further 2.5% increase in standard capitation funding for primary and post-primary schools that will apply from the start of the 2020/21 school year. This builds on last year’s 5% increase in capitation announced in budget 2019.
The combined increases given in 2019 and 2020 mean that circa 40% restoration will be achieved.
All schools have received the benefit of the capitation increases awarded to date. It is my intention to seek funding for further capitation increases in future budgets.
My department has also made the services of the Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU) available to support small schools in the area of financial governance and management. The FSSU provide templates specifically tailored for the needs of these schools and also provide assistance through online supports and school visits.
