Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
320. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure a cancellation of a debt to Irish Water in the case of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17987/24]
View answerMy Department provides funding to recognised post primary schools by way of per capita grants which is based on school enrolment. The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, water, general up-keep etc. and the ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools are permitted to regard the capitation and ancillary grants as a combined grant in line with circular 40/2009.
Schools may continue to utilise funding provided across the range of grants to ensure adequate cash flow at certain times. However, income and expenditure must continue to be recorded in school accounts and attributed to the individual grants as appropriate.
In addition to these grants, €20 million in funding was issued in October 2023, to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme. This funding is the first tranche of an overall additional €60 million funding announced as part of Budget 2024 measures designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity. A further €40 million in funding was delivered in early 2024.
As part of the capitation package in Budget 2024, €21 million was secured 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 grant to the pre-2011 level of €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 Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU), funded by my Department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on financial matters. To be of assistance, officials from my Department have contacted the FSSU, and requested that they contact the school directly to provide advice and support as required, in the first instance. The FSSU will provide guidance to the Board of Management in their engagements with Irish Water on this matter.
