Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The response I have here, on which I can elaborate if it is insufficient, is that 2012 provided for an overall reduction in capitation to primary and post-primary schools over a phased basis. It was a reduction of 2% in 2012 and 2013 and a further reduction of 1% in 2014 and in 2015. We have factored that into our savings over the next number of years, as has the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. If we were to alter or change it if say allocations increase, that saving is already set into the figures, so we would have to unlock that. It would cost more than just the amount of money about which we are talking because it has already taken that saving and banked it. If we were to say we did not want to proceed with the reduction of 1% next year, the baseline we have for next year would be increased by the amount we would not be saving. Notwithstanding, the departure of the troika, we are still in difficulties in terms of reducing capitation grants, albeit at a very small number in that 1% is still 1%.

In many cases, schools are growing, so the pressures are there. There is a certain degree of balancing in that if the numbers in a school increase, one gets more capitation even if it is of a smaller amount. The price pressures are on schools.

I know the Deputy is very involved with primary schools but all school managements should be looking at ways in which they can effect savings in terms of procurement and shared procurement. We do not believe they are necessarily availing of the potential for those savings.