Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2021
241. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if the primary capitation grant will be restored to €200 per pupil which was the rate in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48921/21]
View answerI understand the need for improved capitation funding and I am pleased that budget 2020 has been able to provide for a further 2.5% increase in standard capitation funding for primary and post-primary schools that applied from the start of the 2020/21 school year. This builds on the 5% increase in capitation announced in budget 2019.
The combined increases given in 2019 and 2020 mean that circa 40% restoration has been 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.
While these increases have provided for further restoration, annual funding would need to be increased by an additional €20m approximately to restore grants to pre-2011 levels. This would cost circa €10m at Primary level and €10m at Post-Primary level based on current enrolments.
