The current levels of capitation grant to primary and secondary schools are £33 and £150 per annum per pupil, respectively.
In the case of primary schools, there is a standard rate with varying rates applying to special categories as set out on the following Table A. In the case of secondary schools, there is only one level of per capita grant with the exception of schools giving instruction through the medium of Irish which receive an enhanced per capita on various rates.
The increases in the standard rates of grant per pupil between 1983 and 1993 are shown in Table B.
In addition to receiving the standard capitation grant, primary schools in disadvantaged areas have since 1984 received financial support under the disadvantaged areas scheme.
Originally, this support was delivered to needy schools through the Diocesan Authorities who were given a block grant for this purpose. The schools in question also received direct supplementary grants of up to £5 per pupil from my Department. Since 1990, these arrangements have been replaced by the direct payment of a supplementary capitation grant of £17 per pupil to schools which have been designated as disadvantaged.
In addition to maintaining the £17 grant in the current year, I have decided to allocate a further £250,000 to schools which are already included in the disadvantaged areas scheme and which have particular financial needs at this time. The process of selecting schools for this extra funding is currently taking place. In the current year, an additional 50 new schools will be designated as disadvantaged. The schools selected will also qualify for the £17 per pupil grant.
There is no special per capita arrangement for secondary schools in disadvantaged areas but special provision is made for such schools by way of additional teachers including home-school liaison teachers.