Dick Spring
Ceist:660 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide for an increase in the capitation grant in respect of pupils attending Tarbert national school, County Kerry. [20987/98]
Written Answers. - Capitation Grants.
Tarbert national school received £9,100 in capitation funding in the 1997-98 school year, based on an enrolment of 182 pupils. This was the appropriate amount payable under the terms of the scheme and there is no provision whereby any additional capitation may be made available to this school.
The Deputy may be aware that the 1998 Estimates provided for an 11 per cent increase in the standard rate of capitation grant. This represented an important step forward in the process of improving funding of the primary sector. In the context of the 1999 Estimates I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to give priority to the issue of further increases in the capitation grant.