Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

——a mainstream school with 200 pupils in County Kildare received €11,428 in capitation funding. Today, that same school in County Kildare, if it had a population of 200 pupils, would receive €66,016 in capitation and ancillary funding. That is approximately six times the amount available in 1997.

The minor capital works funding of €5,500 per school, which all schools receive, plus the top-up of €18.50 per pupil and the special €74 for special needs pupils in such schools, has enormously enhanced the ongoing maintenance of school buildings and grounds. Like most Members, I deal with principals and parents on a regular basis but they have not been knocking down my office door about capitation grants because they realise the progress made in the area.

My experience as chairman of a board of management of a small mainstream school, as well as a board member of a Gaelscoil and a special needs school, has given me an invaluable insight into the variety of challenges affecting the sector. While challenges remain, support and the financial resources available to primary schools have substantially improved in recent years.

In 2008 the Department of Education and Science will pay €167 million to primary schools to cover day-to-day running costs. A €21 increase to €330 per pupil means primary schools receive unprecedented levels of funding per pupil to meet running costs.

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