Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Capitation grants come under this programme. We expect a further 1% reduction this year in the capitation grant. This was announced previously. I understand this will cost in the region of €2.1 million. There has been an increase in the demographic and I understand 14,000 extra students will come into the system this year. Is it possible to ascertain what the figure would be if the 1% reduction had not taken place, in the light of an increased student population? I am trying to get that figure. I gather from reading the Estimates that providing for the extra 14,000 students will cost approximately €6.4 million in increased capitation costs. However, we are offsetting that with the 1% reduction of €2.1 million. Does this suggest that if we were not reducing the capitation grant by 1% there would be a cost of €8.5 million, given the increase in the demographics? Is that correct?