Vol. 537 No. 5
63 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science the level of capitation grants available to the different sectors in secondary education; his views on the need to address anomalies in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16885/01]
The funding arrangements for the different school types at second level have evolved in a manner that reflects the different traditions and structures of the voluntary secondary, comprehensive and community and VEC sectors. This evolution has, by its 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. Voluntary secondary schools are funded on a per capita basis. The 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. This will bring the standard per capita grant to more than £200 for the first time. 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, bringing the total grant in the case of such a school with 500 pupils to £116,000.
The financial allocations for vocational schools and community colleges are made to the vocational education committees as part of a block grant which also covers a VEC's head office overheads and other activities, apart from the second level programme. The Department does not earmark allocations for individual schools or for the various activities of vocational education committees. The way in which the grant is distributed among schools is a matter for each commit tee in line with its priorities and perceptions of need. The annual budget for community and comprehensive schools takes into account factors which vary from school to school, such as disadvantaged status, age of buildings and the size of the school.
The report of the steering group on the Funding of second level schools represents a comprehensive review of funding arrangements, including the matter of equity of funding between the different sectors at second level. My approach to date has shown my commitment and determination to address the needs of schools. I am committed to further improving the funding position of second-level schools in light of available resources and to addressing the issue of equity raised by the voluntary secondary schools.
The Minister will be aware that the myriad obligations placed on primary and post-primary schools, such as those involving education and welfare, health and safety and the publication of education plans, place enormous strain on the administrative capacity of individual schools. In making the case for further funding to facilitate the execution of these obligations, does the Department monitor compliance with these obligations? Does the Minister accept that there is an intolerable strain on primary and post-primary school administrations because we have not matched the necessary obligations placed on them with financial resources?
I appreciate that there are increasing pressures as a result of these obligations. For the first time, I have provided additional funds over and above the capitation grant under a general support scheme and I intend to continue to provide funds where possible to bring them up to the level outlined in the report.
On the obligation to meet requirements, my Department will naturally have a certain monitoring function but the obligation will essentially rest with the schools.
Leaving aside his prepared script, will the Minister outline his views on the principle that, in a booming economy such as ours, the State should meet the full costs of the public education system?
On the withdrawal of community employment schemes which have served as a safety net in regard to the provision of caretaking and secretarial assistance, has any satisfactory conclusion been reached on the transfer of necessary funding from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to the Department of Education and Science to bolster the current inadequate services?
Put simply, considerable progress has been made and I hope it will be possible to complete the transfer in the near future in con junction with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Department of Education and Science has done its homework in this area. There are other issues such as the health issue to be addressed and it would require more time to address all of the issues involved. We are anxious to proceed with the work on the educational side which would enable us to supplement capitation grants to the level sought. This would also contribute to meeting the costs of funding the public education system.
What is the Minister's view on the principle of the State fully funding the public education system?
The State does not own voluntary secondary schools but, in so far as we can, we would like to fund their requirements as fully as possible. We must take into account the evolutionary aspect of this issue.
Is the Minister committed to fully funding the public education system?
The Deputy should allow the Minister to reply without interruption.
Community and comprehensive State schools are fully funded and that is where the difference lies. The Blackstock report addressed this matter and we are committed to proceeding along the lines outlined in that report.
When will the Minister implement the report's recommendations?
As soon as possible.
