Vol. 508 No. 3
384 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the inequity of the capitation grants payable to mainstream national schools and gaelscoileanna; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns relating to the higher pupil-teacher ratio and lower capitation grants pertaining to mainstream schools compared to gaelscoileanna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19048/99]
Successive Governments have attributed great importance to the development of the Irish language and in this context the Gaelscoileanna movement has been very significant in strengthening the position of Irish in the educational system.
Gaelscoileanna have, therefore, traditionally received a higher rate of capitation grant than that which applies to mainstream schools because of their role in the promotion of the Irish language.
I should point out that I have substantially improved the level of capitation grants since taking office. The standard rate of capitation grant, which was £45 per pupil in 1997, now stands at £60 per pupil.
The favourable pupil teacher ratio is designed to assist Gaelscoileanna deal with difficulties inherent in teaching through Irish pupils whose home language is not Irish. In this regard the Deputy will appreciate that I have implemented very significant reductions in class sizes generally. As a result of my most recent initiative, which comes into effect this year based on September 1998 enrolments, all schools will operate to a maximum class average of 30 pupils.
