asked the Minister for Education if he is satisfied with the situation whereby secondary and primary schools have to levy parents to keep schools properly maintained and equipped; and if he will increase funding to these schools.
Written Answers. - Maintenance of Schools.
299.
The running costs of national schools are assisted by my Department by means of a system of capitation grants, that is a grant per pupil enrolled on 30 September of the school year in question. The capitation grant assistance is payable on the condition that a local contribution equivalent to at least 25 per cent of the State capitation grant, must be lodged each year in a bank account in the name of the school. As is laid down in the constitution of boards and rules of procedure "The sum required to meet the local contribution shall be provided by the parish community or other appropriate analogous community or body from general funds at the disposal of such community or body and there shall be no levy on the parents of children attending the school".
I am satisfied that boards of management, in general, are familiar with the above rules and bring no undue pressure to bear on individual parents with regard to the making of financial contributions.
The capitation grant has been increased annually since the Government came into office giving an overall increase in real terms since 1982. In 1986 the rate has been increased by £2 to £24 per pupil. In addition, special funds have been provided to patrons to enable them to alleviate the financial difficulties of certain schools situated in disadvantaged areas. I do not accept that secondary schools in the free education schemes have to levy parents as suggested in the question. The per capita grant to such schools stands at £140 since 1 January 1986.