Vol. 531 No. 3
412 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) relating to the resourcing of voluntary secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5422/01]
I am aware of the request by voluntary secondary schools for increased funding referred to in the correspondence. The funding arrangements for the different school types at second level have evolved in a manner that reflect the different traditions and structures of the voluntary secondary, comprehensive and community and VEC sectors. This evolution has, by its very nature, generated funding anomalies and structures that lack uniformity and cohesion.
At the core of funding arrangements at second level is reliance upon capitation as the principal determinant of funding. In the case of voluntary secondary schools in the free education scheme, which are privately managed institutions, the Department meets the cost of teacher salaries, excluding the first £400, and allowances, and makes an annual per capita grant towards recurrent costs, including cleaning of schools. In addition, these schools may also be eligible for assistance under a range of other grants available under the scheme, including grants for the employment of secretaries and caretakers and curricular support.
Regarding insurance cover on school property and against public liability, this is a matter for the managerial authorities of the individual schools. Grant aid towards voluntary secondary school funding costs provided by my Department by way of per capita grants may be used for this purpose. I consider that the report of the steering group on the funding of second level schools represents a comprehensive review of the funding arrangements, including the matter of equity of funding between the different sectors at second level.
While further work is required to bring greater uniformity and cohesion to this aspect of the funding of schools, my priority is to focus on the issue of adequacy of funding. In this connection I have already shown my commitment through the establishment of the school services support fund, which is a significant initiative in the funding of our schools. This funding initiative represents a new approach by my Department that supports the school development planning process. This process can only be enhanced if each school is given some flexibility in the deployment of its resources. While provision for support services, including secretarial and caretaking services, is a particular focus of this fund, schools are being given discretion as to how this additional funding is best utilised in the interest of their pupils and for the operation of their schools.
A school with 500 pupils will now receive additional annual funding of £20 per pupil or £10,000, with a minimum payment for smaller schools of £4,000 per school. This fund will channel an additional £4 million to voluntary secondary schools each year. In addition, the standard per capita grant was increased to £184 from £177 in 1999. It was further increased by £8 from September last to £192 and will be significantly increased by £10 for the next school year. For a school with 500 pupils, this amounts to an extra £12,500 per annum, and a total capitation grant of £101,000 towards general expenses. An additional per capita grant of £30 per pupil is paid to disadvantaged schools, thereby bringing the total grant in the case of such a school with 500 pupils to £116,000.
