Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 June 2017
125. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase the capitation grant for primary schools by €20 per pupil, which according to research carried out by an organisation (details supplied) would cost €11.6 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30386/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of the research referred to by the Deputy.
I do recognise the need to improve capitation funding for primary schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years.
The Action Plan for Education outlines hundreds of actions to be implemented over the 3 year period 2016 to 2019 which include restoring capitation funding as resources permit.
Budget 2017 represents the start of a major programme of reinvestment in education, and the first phase of implementation of the Action Plan for Education, aimed at becoming the best education system in Europe within a decade.
In relation to capitation funding this commitment remains a priority for me to address during the lifetime of the Action Plan.
Primary schools are permitted to regard the capitation and ancillary grant as a combined grant. The ancillary grant was increased by €6 in 2016 and €5 in 2017 in order to enable primary schools implement the arbitration salary increase for grant funded school secretaries and caretakers and to also implement the restoration of salary for cleaners arising from the unwinding of FEMPI legislation. A similar type approach in relation to improvements in grant funding was applied, as appropriate, at post-primary level.
