Capitation Grants

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019

Tuesday, 23 July 2019

Ceisteanna (376)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

376. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of a 5% increase in capitation to PLCs, Youthreach and VTOS. [31677/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Capitation amounting to €1.4 million was paid in 2019 in respect of students attending PLC courses.  In addition to this, SOLAS, the further education authority, provided enhanced capitation of €2.5 million.

To increase the total paid by 5% would cost €195,000.

The Department provides funding to  SOLAS to provide for further education programmes such as Youthreach and VTOS.  The funding is disbursed by SOLAS by way of grants to the ETBs to cover all pay and non-pay elements of the programmes.  There is no capitation element paid in respect of these programmes, although funding is based on the number of class groups.  In 2019 SOLAS provided €67 million funding for the Youthreach programme and €70 million in respect of the VTOS Programme.