Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023
259. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education in relation to Budget 2024, if the Financial Support Services Unit will have any additional moneys available for schools that are facing financial hardship that sees a rapid increase in pupil numbers after 30 September 2023 cut-off date. [45208/23]
View answerThe Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU) is an important source of advice and support for school management and finance personnel on financial governance matters and enables them to comply with the provisions of the Education Act 1998 in terms of accountability, transparency and financial responsibility for State funds.
As part of its role, the FSSU provides schools with support and advice in relation to budget management and financial reporting.
The FSSU website is also an invaluable resource which provides a wide range of templates, guidelines, videos and webinars focused on finance which will be of benefit to all School Boards of Management and those involved in the preparation of school accounts.
It gives me great pleasure to have secured €10.5 billion in total funding for Education in Budget 2024. This significant increase in funding ensures that the total budget is at the highest ever for our primary and post primary schools. The funding will ensure continued reduced costs for families; it will continue to tackle disadvantage and it will provide further supports to safeguard inclusive education for all school communities.
This year’s Budget will provide targeted funding for school communities with an increase in capitation of over €81 million.
The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €183 per pupil at Primary level and at post primary the standard rate is €316 per student for voluntary secondary schools. The Capitation grant is based on recognised enrolments in September of the relevant school year. The standard capitation rates are different for Community and Comprehensive schools as well as those in the ETB sector as these schools are funded via budgets.
As part of the capitation package in Budget 2024 I am pleased to have secured €21 million as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs. This will support a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. This will bring the basic rate of capitation to €200 per student in primary schools and to €345 in voluntary secondary schools. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational needs. This represents an increase of circa 9.2% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates.
The €81 million secured for capitation also includes €60 million as part of the Cost of Living measures in Budget 2024. All recognised Primary and Post-Primary schools in the Free Education scheme will benefit from this additional capitation funding which will be paid at an average rate of €49 per pupil at Primary level and €75 at Post-Primary level. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational needs.
Schools also receive an Ancillary Services Grant. The standard rate is €173 per pupil in Primary schools and €224.50 per student in Post-Primary schools.
Primary schools with less than 60 pupils are paid the Capitation and the Ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils. At Post-Primary level, schools with less than 200 students receive ancillary related grants on the basis of having 200 students.
Schools also receive a range of other grants including Book Grants, Programme grants etc. For the 2023/24 school year I introduced a landmark new scheme that signifies a new chapter in Irish primary education to provide free school books for all primary and special school pupils. The total free primary book grant amount paid to date in 2023 is €53.5m.
I am very pleased to say that I have secured funding to extend the free school books scheme to junior cycle students from the start of the next school year in September 2024. The total funding available for this extension of the scheme is €67 million.
I am pleased that I have been able to provide for significant increases for school communities in Budget 2024. My Department will continue to support any school that has particular difficulties.
