asked the Minister for Education the amount paid per capita for each student under the original free secondary education scheme; and the extent to which it has subsequently been increased.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Secondary Education Scheme.
8.
Mr. R. Burke
The rate of supplemental grant paid per recognised pupil in the school year 1967-68—the inaugural year of the free secondary education scheme—was the equivalent of the fee charged during the 1966-67 year subject to (a) a minimum of £15 and (b) a maximum of £25.
The minimum figure was raised to £20 for the school year 1968-69. A flat rate of £25 per recognised pupil was paid from the school year 1969-70. This was increased to £30 from commencement of the school year 1972-73 and further increased to £35 from September, 1974.
Could I ask the Minister a very technical question? Would he differentiate between the original subvention to schools of approximately £25 a year and the present subvention of £35 paid under what we all loosely call the O'Malley free secondary education scheme? Could he give me details of how both have increased rather than just one?
Mr. R. Burke
The subvention given by my Department to secondary schools is based on capitation grants paid to all secondary schools and grants in lieu of tuition fees paid to those schools which are in the so-called free education scheme. In 1967-68 a minimum of £15 was payable in respect of 249 schools. The actual fees ranged from £15 to £25 in 139 schools. The maximum was paid in respect of 97 schools. The current rates for capitation grants are as follows:
|
5-Day Week |
6-Day Week |
Junior Cycle |
Senior Cycle |
|
145 plus |
160 plus |
£19 on first 100 |
£24 |
|
£19 on remainder |
|||
|
120-144 |
130-159 |
£16 |
£20 |
|
95-119 |
100-129 |
£14 |
£18 |
|
70-94 |
70-99 |
£13 |
£15 |
Would the Minister not accept that, lumping—I know that is an unfortunate word to use in the present context—the two figures together, the average secondary school which has opted into the so-called free secondary education scheme is asked to educate a pupil on a total sum of approximately £60 to £65 a year per capita in the secondary school level? Is that satisfactory?
Mr. R. Burke
No. We try to increase these as resources permit. In fact, tribute should be paid to the secondary schools who are educating these pupils at these rates. They do not quite match up to the amounts available in comprehensive and community schools. These schools are to be congratulated for carrying this burden for the State.
Would the Minister have available the total cost for 1974 of the capitation grants and the £35 grant?
Mr. R. Burke
I am sorry I have not got that information but I can send it to the Deputy.
Could I ask the Minister to explain exactly what he means when he says that secondary schools are carrying this burden? Surely it is the parents who are carrying it?
Mr. R. Burke
Perhaps as taxpayers they are, but since fees are not now being charged these schools are in fact providing these services for, as Deputy Thornley said, relatively moderate charges.
They are being charged in another fashion.