Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:263 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the break down of all funding provided annually to primary and second level schools on a capitation basis. [27372/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 3 November 2004
Ceisteanna (205)
Freagraí scríofa
The main capitation-based grants at primary level are the capitation grant itself and the ancillary services (caretakers-secretaries) grant. The standard rate of capitation grant for primary schools is currently €121.58 per pupil, subject to a minimum grant for small schools with 60 or less pupils of €7,295. Enhanced capitation grants, ranging from €276 per pupil to €599.50 per pupil, are payable in respect of pupils enrolled in special classes in primary schools.
The ancillary services grant, which goes towards the provision of secretarial and caretaking facilities in primary schools, is currently €127 per pupil, subject to a minimum grant of €6,350 paid to schools with 60 pupils or less and a maximum grant of €63,500 paid to schools with 500 pupils or more. The new grants scheme for minor works to national school properties commenced in 1997. Payment under the scheme to each primary school per academic year consisted of a basic grant of £2,000 or €2,539.48 plus £9 or €11.43 per pupil. The payment rates were increased in 2000 to £3,000 or €3,809.21 in respect of the basic grant and to £10 or €12.70 per pupil.
Under the various disadvantage programmes administered by my Department's social inclusion unit, a number of grants are capitation-based. Under the Giving Children an Even Break programme, a special per capita grant is paid in respect of the percentage of pupils with disadvantaged characteristics. This grant is €63.49 per pupil and participating schools receive a minimum payment of €952.30. Under the disadvantaged areas scheme schools receive a capitation supplement of €38.09 per pupil. Under the urban phase of Breaking the Cycle, 32 schools receive annual grant assistance in addition to the above of €5,078.95 for out of school projects aimed at combating disadvantage and €3,809.21 in respect of materials and equipment. Under the rural phase of BTC, 120 schools receive annual grants of €1,269.74 for materials and equipment and €1,269.74 for out of school projects.
Under my Department's Early Start pre-school project, an annual capitation grant of €95.23 per pupil is paid to the school's board of management to be used as funding support for day to day running costs of the centre. This capitation payment is based on current year enrolments. The standard per capita rate amounts to €274 in secondary schools. An additional per capita rate of €38 is paid to disadvantaged schools bringing the per capita grant in such schools to €312 per pupil. In addition, secondary schools also receive the school services support grant that stands at €131 per pupil. Schools where instruction is in full or in part through the medium of Irish qualify for an extra per capita grant of up to €86.85 per pupil.
Schools are also eligible for additional recurrent grants towards classes for pupils with special needs amounting to €200.62 per pupil and €427 per Traveller child and curricular support grants viz., transition year, €63.49; leaving certificate applied, €158.7; special subjects grant, €1.90 at junior certificate level and €3.81 per senior cycle student; science initiative, €12.70, and the introductory per capita grant for the junior certificate schools programme, €63.49. Schools are also eligible for support under the following programmes: the special needs equipment grants to enable students with a disability to participate in mainstream second level education; school administration ICT funding; the ICT school initiative and the grant scheme for school books for needy pupils.