Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have also spoken to teachers and principals and I fully accept we need to do more. There is a clear commitment in the programme for Government to do more. However, the Deputy has to accept that, in the past two years alone, there has been a 22% increase in capitation across primary and post-primary as well as an enhanced rate for special schools or where support is needed in DEIS schools. I am not saying that is going far enough but I cannot negotiate the budget here on the floor of the Dáil. What I am saying clearly is I am committed to increasing it.

The FSSU is the unit that is specifically there in the Department to support schools that are going through a difficult time and say they need financial assistance. Last year alone, two schools got an advanced capitation rate. It is not that the Department is not reaching out or helping or will not provide funding. When schools reach out, it is often about looking to see how they can reduce costs, how can we put in place plans to support them and how can the unit work with them.

That is what the Department has been doing. I am not saying we do not do more. I want to see that capitation rate increase. There is, however, something else the Department can do that it is doing and has been doing for some time. It is working with schools, providing plans and budgets and supporting them in that way as well.

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