Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024
109. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will increase funding to schools in order that no additional income from parents in the form of voluntary contributions is required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6384/24]
View answerThe Government believes that a rise in the cost of living should never be a barrier to education. Increased funding to schools was provided in Budget 2024 with targeted increases in capitation of over €81 million.
As part of the capitation package, €21 million will be provided 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. The €81million secured for capitation also included €60 million as part of the Cost of Living measures in Budget 2024.
This year’s budget increase 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.
Capitation is paid by grant to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the ancillary/School Services Support Fund (SSSF) to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools are permitted to regard the capitation and ancillary/SSSF grants as a combined grant. It is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs. The Department has ensured that centrally negotiated rates are available to schools for electricity and bulk heating fuels. These rates are available through existing frameworks sourced by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) which runs until 2024 and a replacement framework is in progress
In 2023, the Minister announced a landmark new scheme seeing the government investing over €50 million to provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks for pupils in primary and special schools.
In budget 2024, a further €67 million was provided to extend the Free Schoolbooks Scheme to Junior Cycle students enrolled in post-primary schools in the Free Education System.
These measures will assist schools with managing cost of living pressures in a more sustainable way. Further supports to schools will be considered in future budgets.
