Vol. 505 No. 6
283 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that parents are finding it increasingly difficult to meet the voluntary contribution required from them in voluntary secondary schools; and if he will increase the capitation grant to these schools to meet the day to day costs and the students educational requirements. [14551/99]
I am aware of the demands for increased funding by voluntary secondary schools. There are also demands for increased funding in the other sectors of education, as well as demands for increased spending on other public expenditure programmes. Notwithstanding the many competing demands on budgetary resources, the levels of support for voluntary secondary schools have been increased since 1997. The standard per capita grant payable to voluntary secondary schools has been increased to £184 from £177 and assistance towards the provision of secretarial services in schools has been increased from £25 per pupil to £30 per pupil, thereby increasing the maximum annual grant from £8,750 to £10,500 per eligible school. In addition, these schools have benefited under the IT 2000 initiative and the school library books initiative. Schools have welcomed these improvements. It is my intention to improve further the financial position of second-level schools to the extent that the availability of resources permits.
