Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
452. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a breakdown of the total annual non-wage related, that is, not including teachers or SNA salaries, grant funding provided direct to primary schools in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36238/23]
View answerMy Department provides grant funding to recognised primary schools mainly through a pupil enrolment grants process. A breakdown across 2018 to 2022 of grants paid to primary schools are outlined in the following summary table.
|
2018 |
2019 |
20201 |
20211 |
20221,2 |
|
|
Grants paid to Primary Schools |
€254m |
€294m |
€415m |
€425m |
€386m |
Includes additional funding for COVID-19 supports
Includes additional funding for Cost of Living supports
The main categories of grants paid to primary schools are:
• Capitation grants to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep,
• Ancillary grants to cater for the cost of schools employing ancillary services staff. Note: Teachers or SNAs employed by primary schools are paid directly by my Department and are not funded through the grants paid to schools.
• Minor works grants to assist with improvements to school buildings.
• ICT grants to purchase IT related services and equipment.
In recent years emergency grant funding, on a temporary basis, was also allocated to primary schools for:
• COVID-19 supports to provide for enhanced cleaning, supervision, PPE and hand hygiene.
• Cost of living supports to meet additional energy costs and other increased day to day school running costs.
