I propose to take Questions Nos. 497 to 503, inclusive, together.
In framing the budget, a range of very difficult policy choices had to be faced by the Government across all areas of public expenditure, including in the field of education. While education remains a priority for the Government, it has been necessary to curtail expenditure in some areas. While certain grants are to be abolished, I would like to emphasise that the capitation grant for post-primary schools has been increased by 4.3%, representing an increase of €14 per pupil, to bring it to €345 per pupil from January 2009. Voluntary secondary schools will benefit also from an increase in the school services support grant by €8 per pupil from January 2009. This will mean, for example, that a secondary school with an enrolment of 500 pupils will receive an additional €11,000 in funding in 2009. The abolition of the Transition Year grant is expected to save €2.55 million. With regard to transition year activities in disadvantaged areas, schools in the DEIS programme are in receipt of additional grant aid, which they will continue to receive.
It is estimated that savings in the order of €1.2 million will be made by the abolition of the Leaving Certificate Applied grant. The Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA), taken by approximately 6% of students, is subject to review and appropriate revisions are made to ensure that needs of all students in the intended target group are met in the best possible way. This will continue to be the case, and I am confident that the Leaving Certificate Applied will continue to be a viable option for students whose needs are not catered for by the other Leaving Certificate options. The abolition of the physics and chemistry grant is likely to save €1.2 million, while the abolition of the equipment grants for LCA and the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme is estimated to save €78,000. Savings from the abolition of the Home Economics grant are projected to be €51,000. The abolition of the Choirs and Orchestras grant is expected to save in the order of €26,000. It is expected that €192,000 will be saved in the abolition of the Junior Certificate Schools Programme grant.