Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
503. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the significant gap in funding between voluntary secondary schools and those which are run by the ETB sector; and her plans to close the funding gap. [21358/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding arrangements for post primary schools reflect the sectoral division of the second-level system. At the core of these arrangements is reliance upon capitation as a key determinant of funding. Enrolments are the main driver in the level of funding provided.
ETB, Community & Comprehensive sector are primarily based on budgets determined by the Department.
The Voluntary Secondary School Sector are based on per capita grants provided by the Department. Some equalisation measures were introduced to rectify historical inconsistencies in the funding arrangements for this sector of post-primary schools. It is estimated that up to €21m has been provided in equalisation funding in the period up to 2009.
As agreed with the Joint Managerial Body (JMB), future improvements in equalisation funding is to be directed in the first instance at the elimination of the School Salary grant deduction from the capitation payable to Voluntary Secondary Schools. This salary grant deduction amounts to €563 per teaching post.
Budget 2020 provided funding to cater for a 20% reduction in the School Salary Grant deduction commencing in the 2020/21 school year. This will bring the deduction down from €563 to €450.40 per whole-time equivalent teaching post.
Progress towards equalisation of the gap in funding in the different post-primary sectors will be made by reducing the school salary grant deduction by 20% effective from 1 September 2020.
