Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, said last night that the priority this Government attaches to providing quality education is evident from the fact that the education budget has increased by more than 70% since 2002 to more than €9.3 billion this year. The extra €690 million being provided for education in 2008, compared with last year's budget, represents a major achievement in the context of a tighter economic environment. It will enable us to consolidate the major improvements of recent years and to make further progress in a wide range of areas.

The Government is fully aware of the funding pressures on schools. We are committed to doubling the primary capitation grant by 2012 and to significantly increasing the value of the ancillary services grant used by schools for the employment of support staff, such as caretakers and secretaries. These commitments are a direct follow-on from the clear thrust of Government policy over recent years to improve the position of primary schools, in particular.

Since 2001 the standard rate of primary capitation grant has been increased by 86%. In the same period the value of the ancillary services grant has been almost doubled. In 2001 a primary school with 300 pupils was in receipt of less than €52,000 to meet its day-to-day running costs. That same school today is receiving almost €100,000. This excludes the salaries of teachers and special needs assistants paid by the Department. By any standard, this is a very significant improvement within a relatively short period.

The cost pressures on schools are taken into account each year in determining the level of increases in the capitation and ancillary services grants. In 2008 primary schools are getting €330 per pupil in such grants, €21 more per child than they got last year. At a national level this adds up to an investment of approximately €167 million in standard day to day funding for schools. In addition, enhanced rates of capitation funding are paid in respect of children with special educational needs, who attend special schools or special classes attached to mainstream schools. Extra funding is also being targeted at schools serving disadvantaged communities. Funding for additional grants for the most disadvantaged schools increased by 15% this year, reflecting the Government's determination to prioritise those that most need extra resources.

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