Vol. 409 No. 8
26 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education the action she intends to take to rectify the position whereby 17 per cent of the income of Catholic secondary schools in the Republic is made up from fund raising, parents' contributions and from the religious congregations involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
97 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education if she accepts that there is a desperate need for extra finance to be provided for the proper running of all second level schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 97 together.
The Programme for Economic and Social Progress includes very significant improvements in funding of post-primary schools and in the provision of additional teachers for such schools. It provides for the payment of an additional capitation grant, commencing in 1992, so as to expand the provision of caretaking and clerical services in these schools.
The programme also notes that the existing rates of capitation grants for schools will be considered in the light of an examination currently being undertaken of unit costs at primary and post-primary levels.
Between 1987 and 1990 the capitation grant for secondary schools increased from £140 to £180 which was an increase of 7.1 per cent.
