Mr. Geoffrey Browne:

As to whether the level of capitation grant payable to voluntary post-primary schools is adequate, it is not. The level of capitation grant allocated to this sector per student was €345 in 2010 and €296 in 2018. The boards of management of voluntary schools have to pay the first €562.50 of each teacher’s salary, which is called a salary grant. We call for this to be abolished.

Parents have played their parts in many ways throughout the economic downturn and during the recent recovery. The NPCpp reiterates its support of the ambition for Ireland to have the best education system in Europe by 2026. We believe that, as parents, we have more than demonstrated our commitment to education during the past decade by funding many of the activities and requirements listed above, inflicting a significant burden and stress on many families. Parents are not to be found wanting when it comes to our children’s education, but there are matters and activities outside school that we must also address, and our funds can be utilised better when we can support our children in these.