Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 7 Mar 2001

Vol. 532 No. 2

Written Answers. - School Funding.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

83 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the concerns among some schools with regard to their possible inability to implement education legislation such as the Education Welfare Act, 2000, due to inadequate funding; the steps he is taking to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6950/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Funding of schools at both primary and second level is structured on the basis of capitation grants with additional grants towards services such as caretaking and secretarial.

The Government has placed a high priority on increasing funding for schools. Recent developments include at primary level significant improvement in the level of capitation grants. The standard rate of capitation grant for primary schools has been increased from £45 per pupil to £75.50 in the current school year, and a rate of £80 will apply in the 2000-01 school year. At second level, theper capita grant was increased by £8 from September last and will be further increased by £10 to £202 for the next school year. In addition, schools with disadvantaged status receive further capitation of £30 per pupil per year, bringing the overall per capita payment in respect of such pupils to £232. Schools are afforded considerable flexibility in the use of these resources to cater for the needs of their pupils. This Government has demonstrated a clear commitment to improving the resourcing of schools at all levels and I intend to build on this in the future.