Conor Lenihan
Ceist:296 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of capitation grant paid to post primary schools; and the difference in allocations between the different categories of secondary schools. [10462/98]
Written Answers. - Capitation Grants.
The way in which funding is provided to second level schools reflects the different management and ownership arrangements for voluntary secondary schools, vocational schools, community colleges and community and comprehensive schools. Consequently, direct comparison between the different sectors is difficult.
The financial allocations for vocational schools and community colleges are made to the vocational education committees as part of a block grant which also covers the VEC overheads and other activities apart from the second-level programme. Voluntary secondary schools are funded on a per capita basis while the annual budget for community and comprehensive schools takes into account factors which vary from school to school such as age of buildings, size of school, location, levels of vandalism etc.
The capitation rate per pupil attending a voluntary secondary school amounts to £177. An additional capitation grant of £30 per pupil is paid to schools which have been designated as disadvantaged. Accordingly the overall capitation grant paid to such schools amounts to £207 per pupil.
The matter of equity of funding between the various sectors at second level is currently being examined by a steering group on funding. Under its terms of reference, the group will draw up a recommended funding framework designed to ensure equal treatment for different schools within the second level sector while taking account of the needs of these different schools.