Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
519. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the cost for either a 10% or 20% increase in school capitation grants at primary and secondary level, in tabular form, for the 2023/24 school year; the first-year cost and full-year cost for the 2024/25 school year; the additional cost of a 25% increase in Deis capitation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37027/23]
View answerMy Department provides funding to recognised Primary and Post-Primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc. and the Ancillary to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. These grants may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.
Schools also receive a range of other grants including Book Grants, Programme grants etc.
I understand the need for improved capitation funding and I am pleased that my Department has been able to provide for increases in capitation funding for primary and post primary schools in recent years.
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.
In addition, as part of the Cost of Living measures introduced in Budget 23, €90 million has been provided in once-off additional funding to support increased running costs for recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme, in particular in dealing with challenges they face in the light of rising energy costs. This additional grant was paid at the rate of €75 per pupil at Primary level. Enhanced rates were also paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational Needs.
The first year cost and full year cost of 10% and 20% increase in school capitation at primary and secondary level are outlined below:
|
10% |
10% |
20% |
20% |
|
|
Primary |
Post Primary |
Primary |
Post Primary |
|
|
First year cost |
€3.3m |
€3.6m |
€6.9m |
€7.0m |
|
Full year cost 2024/25 |
€9.8m |
€10.8m |
€20.2m |
€21.2m |
For the next academic year, 2023/2024 the Department has paid out €16,084,270 in funding to Primary DEIS schools and €5,498,417 to Post Primary DEIS schools, with nearly 1,200 schools receiving a grant.
This DEIS grant should be used by schools to attain the targets set in each schools action plan for improvements under attendance, retention, literacy, numeracy, supporting educational transitions,
Partnership with parents and others and examination attainment (post-primary only).In total, €21,582,687 has been paid out.
A 25% increase in this would be in the region of €5.4m.
