Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
712. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education if her Department has received written correspondence dated 18 August 2023 from a school (details supplied) regarding the need for additional funding; and if she will make this funding available. [38772/23]
View answerMy Department provides funding to all recognised 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 including heating, lighting, water charges etc. and the Ancillary grant 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.
All recognised Primary and Post-Primary schools in the Free Education scheme benefited from a once-off cost of living measure to support increased school running costs. This additional capitation funding in 2022 represented an increase of circa 40% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates. The additional grant was paid in December at the rate of €75 per pupil at Primary level and €113 at Post-Primary level. Schools could use this to cover additional energy costs and other increased day to day operating costs.
On receipt of the communication referred to by the Deputy, my Department engaged with the Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU) in order to establish the financial circumstances in the school. As the Deputy may be aware the FSSU is an important source of support and advice for school management and finance personnel in schools in the Primary, Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive Sectors on all financial matters.
Having contacted the school the FSSU have confirmed to my Department that the school is in not in any immediate financial difficulty and therefore additional funding is not required at the current time.
Should the school require the services of the FSSU at any time in the future they may contact them directly at 01 910 4020 or by email at primary@fssu.ie. Details of the supports provided by the FSSU are available on their website.
