Michael Ring
Ceist:424 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the phasing out of local contribution over an agreed period. [18514/98]
Written Answers. - Primary School Funding.
My Department provides capitation grants towards the day-to-day running costs of primary schools. School authorities are required to supplement the capitation grant with a local contribution, which traditionally amounted to 25 per cent of the State grant. Since 1995 the local contribution has been frozen at £10 per pupil in the case of mainstream schools, and at £9.50 per pupil in the case of schools designated as disadvantaged. In effect, therefore, the required local contribution has already fallen well below the traditional 25 per cent.
I should point out that the State is obliged under the Constitution to provide for free primary education and to ensure that such education is available to children. This is achieved through the partnership between the State and local community which is expressed in the State grant combined with the local contribution.
At the moment officials in my Department are examining all the issues involved. When that review has been completed I will be in a position to decide on any further phasing out of the local contribution requirement.