Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 Oct 1994

Vol. 446 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Contributions.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

137 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education the reason a contribution required at primary level is paid; if her Department has discussed the phasingout of this with school patrons and management; the amount of local contribution per child payable in the years 1980 to 1981, 1990 to 1991 and 1994 to 1995; the categories of school or pupil in respect of which such contributions are not required; the total amounts certified to her Department as having been lodged in local contributions in the most recent year for which figures are available; in respect of local contributions towards school building/repair, the total amount paid in 1988 and 1993; and the total State expenditure on school building/repair in each of these years. [1684/94]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The local contribution requirement was an element of the agreed process in 1975 whereby boards of management were introduced into primary schools. The Department has had correspondence with the Catholic Primary School Managers Association regarding the matter.

As model schools do not receive capitation funding there is no local contribution requirement in respect of pupils attending model schools.

The amount of local contribution payable per pupil for the years requested is as follows:

1980/81	1990/91	1994/95
£3.25	£7.00	£9.50

The total amount certified as having been lodged in local contributions for the 1994 financial year is approximately £4.7 million. The total of local contributions towards national school building/repair for 1988 was £3.3 million and for 1993 £3.4 million approximately.

The total State expenditure on new national school buildings, enlargements and improvements of existing schools for 1988 and 1993 was £18,975,000 and £19,118,000 respectively.