Vol. 409 No. 8
5 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the financial burdens on the parents of primary school pupils who must pay increasing amounts for school maintenance and running costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The day-to-day running cost of primary schools are discharged by making funds available by means of the capitation grant scheme and the contribution from local sources.
The capitation grant is not intended to meet the operating costs in full. A local contribution towards school running costs equivalent to 25 per cent of the capitation grant must be lodged annually to each school bank account.
As I already pointed out in my statement on the Primary Education Review Body Report my Department are undertaking a unit cost study in the primary and post-primary sectors in order to determine the cost of operating schools. The existing rates of capitation grants to schools will be considered in the light of the results of this study.
In the meantime I would point out that additional funds are being made available under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress for secretarial and caretaking support in schools. Commencing in 1992, I will be expanding the provision for caretaking and clerical services to all national schools with 100 pupils upwards.
