asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, to increase the capitation grants to meet the maintenance costs in primary schools.
7.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Capitation Grants.
6.
asked the Minister for Education if he will increase the grant for Scoil Mhichíl Naofa Primary School, Athy, County Kildare, to a realistic figure, to allow the committee to discharge their debts for the upkeep of the school.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
The rate of capitation grant payable in respect of the operating costs of national schools was increased from £6 to £8 per pupil in the 1977-78 school year, and, as the Deputies are aware, a further substantial increase to £10 has been announced for the current school-year exclusive of the local contribution.
This scheme of grants is, however, of general application—with certain special provisions for schools for the handicapped—and I am unable accordingly to entertain applications from individual schools for higher grants than those provided for in the scheme. The amounts paid by way of capitation grant to Scoil Mhichíl Naofa in 1976-77 and 1977-78 were £5,238 and £7,032, respectively. This represented an increase of £1,794.
Would the Minister not consider that in inner city schools which have declining numbers there is need for special criteria? Even though there is a declining population in those areas the schools are the same and they must be heated, but they cannot be heated because the money needed to do that is not there. The Minister told us that he had granted a substantial increase, from £8 to £10——
That is only an argument. The Deputy did not ask a question.
I asked the Minister to give special consideration to schools in areas where the population is declining and I pointed out that the increase in the capitation grant from £8 to £10 was not substantial.
I can assure the Deputy that an increase of 25 per cent is a substantial one. I invite the Deputy to define "substantial" if he feels that 25 per cent is not a substantial amount. With regard to schools in special positions I should like to tell the Deputy that the unions and managements concerned asked me about small schools and an increase in the floor grant. I have also made a substantial improvement in the floor grant.
I am sure the Minister is aware that the debt incurred for the upkeep of the school mentioned in my question is much greater than the increase granted. These figures were supplied to his Department.
The Deputy will be aware that the board know the amount of the capitation grant paid and the obligation rests on them to utilise that money and see that they do not run into debt.
That may be impossible. I would ask the Minister to give special consideration to this case. The board have supplied him with accounts which show what I am talking about and again I appeal to him to give special consideration to this case.
I appreciate the Deputy's concern but in a scheme of general application there is no way exceptions can be made.