Vol. 497 No. 6
99 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the substantial gap in resources per primary pupil compared to the rest of Europe; and if this accounts for features of educational disadvantage in Ireland. [25864/98]
A recently published OECD report shows that in 1995, prior to this Government assuming office, Ireland spent only 60 per cent of the OECD total per pupil at primary level. It was due to the fact that the Government realised that primary education was underfunded that An Action Programme for the Millennium contained a commitment to give primary education a clear priority in the allocation of resources.
To this end I obtained an increase of £5 in the standard rate of capitation grant payable at primary level in 1998 and a further £10 increase has been provided for in the 1999 Estimates which will bring the standard capitation grant to £60 per pupil. This constitutes a 33 per cent increase in the grant in place since I assumed office. These increases in the capitation grant represent important steps in the process of increasing capitation funding at primary level. Clear priority will be given to primary education.
I am not aware of any conclusive data that would indicate that the level of educational disadvantage in Ireland is higher than that in other countries. A study of educational disadvantage conducted by the Combat Poverty Agency and the Education Research Centre in 1996 concluded that disadvantaged status should be confined to 16 per cent of the school-going population. The study noted that such status had already been granted to 17 per cent of pupils. As an alternative to extending the disadvantaged areas scheme to additional schools, the study recommended that available resources should be targeted at the most disadvantaged schools already in the scheme. The breaking the cycle of disadvantage pilot project was subsequently introduced to deliver the targeted support recommended in the study.
I am reviewing my Department's overall response to the problem of educational disadvantage. My objective is to ensure all available resources are properly targeted so that children who are educationally disadvantaged receive the support they need to maximise their potential in the education system.
