Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate there are challenges right across society and particularly in our schools. In recognition of that, we have seen, as I have outlined, an almost 35% increase being made available to the Department of Education in the budget. We currently have €10.9 billion, which is the third highest allocation across Government Departments. On foot of that, we have seen a considerable increase in capitation grants, as I have already referenced. For example, the standard €183 given per pupil now rises to €200 per pupil in budget 2024. There has been an additional €21 million provided for a permanent restoration of capitation funding. We have also ensured additional funding: €20 million was paid out in 2023 and an additional €40 million was paid out to schools to rely on for their priorities and needs. There are also other initiatives through which we are ensuring that primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils still get the full capitation grant as if they had 60 pupils.

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