Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

As I noted, the capitation grant has increased substantially over several years. It is our hope under the programme for Government to double the rate for primary schools and substantially increase ancillary services and supports grants in recognition of the increased costs faced by schools and the way in which capitation funds are used. Of the individual schools which received support, one had a shortfall in the funding it received for heating and roof expenses. Last year, the same school received €28,000 through the summer works scheme and it received more than €1 million this year as part of other building programmes. It can occasionally happen that an individual school experiences a shortfall. In recognition of the fact that disadvantaged schools cannot come up with the same funds as other schools, we have changed the system regarding the amount of local money a school is required to possess for building projects. Schools are allowed to request voluntary contributions, but it has come to my attention that parents have been put under pressure to make such payments. This is wrong because schools are not allowed to put such pressure on parents. The word "voluntary" means that parents should only make such a payment if they feel they are in a position to do so. This matter has come to my attention and I have raised it with school principals.

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