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Capitation Grants

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 May 2018

Tuesday, 29 May 2018

Ceisteanna (238)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

238. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the allocation of capitation grants for primary schools in County Waterford; the difference between the amount in capitation grants approved and the amount requested respectively, by primary schools in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23260/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware, funding provided by my Department to primary schools is dealt with on a per capita basis, including for schools in County Waterford. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc and the Ancillary Services grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. 

The standard per capita rates of grants paid to all primary schools in the free education scheme are outlined in the table: 

 Grant Type

 Rate per mainstream pupil

 Payment date

Capitation

€170.00

January – 1st instalment

June – 2nd instalment

Ancillary Grant

€163.00

March

Book Grant

€11.00

April

I recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years.

Restoring capitation funding as resources permit is one of the actions included in the Action Plan for Education.

Budget 2018 marked the second year of major reinvestment in the education sector, as we continue to implement the Action Plan for Education, which has the central aim to make the Irish Education and Training service the best in Europe within a decade. In 2018, the budget for the Department of Education increased by €554 million to over €10 billion. Through budget 2017 and Budget 2018, we are now investing €1 billion more in education.

The process is underway for restoring grant funding that is used by schools to fund the salaries of ancillary staff. The ancillary grant was increased by €6 in 2016, €5 in 2017 and €5 in 2018, in order to enable primary schools to 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.

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