Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools that have been allocated funding for the purpose of debt relief in each year over the past five years; the accumulated amount in each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21842/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Funding to schools to cover their day-to-day running costs has increased substantially in recent years. Indeed, this year schools benefited from the largest ever increase in capitation grant. With increases in capitation and ancillary services funding, primary schools are now getting €95 more per pupil per year than they were in 2002. The capitation grant has been increased to €163.58 per child and the ancillary services grant has risen to €145.50 per child, bringing the total value of both grants to nearly €310 per pupil. This amounts to €93,000 per year for a 300-pupil school.

At second level, the capitation grant has increased by €50 per student since 2002, from €266 to €316. The school support services grant which we introduced in 2000 has been increased significantly to €189 per student for voluntary secondary schools with effect from January 2007. Voluntary secondary schools are now getting €505 per student in capitation and support services grants. This amounts to €293,000 per year for a 500-student voluntary school.

Schools have therefore benefited from major increases in funding in recent years. A small number of schools have, however, sought assistance from my Department as an exceptional matter to deal with serious financial difficulties. Between 2002 and 2006, my Department provided additional financial assistance for this purpose for a total of 97 schools, mainly serving disadvantaged areas. In 2002, 26 schools received approximately €341,000; in 2003, 25 schools were allocated a total of €519,000; in 2004, €108,000 was given to ten schools; in 2005, 32 schools shared a total of €784,000; and last year, just over €112,000 was paid to four schools.

It should be noted that the responsibility for sound financial management of schools' affairs rests with school authorities. These were exceptional payments, the majority of which involved schools serving disadvantaged areas. The Deputy will be aware that as well as general increases in capitation funding, extra financial supports are being provided for schools under the DEIS action plan for educational inclusion. In the last school year, DEIS related grants totalling more than €17 million were paid to schools to meet the needs of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

This represented a substantial increase on the 2005-06 level of almost €12 million.

The Government will continue to prioritise the needs of schools serving disadvantaged communities. The emphasis on tackling educational disadvantage in recent years is absolutely unprecedented. In 2007, we are investing nearly €730 million in measures aimed at tackling disadvantage at all levels. This represents an increase of nearly €95 million on the 2006 figure and an almost 60% increase on the €460 million provided in 2003.

As well as continuing to prioritise disadvantaged schools, we are also determined to ensure that both primary and post-primary schools benefit from increased funding over the next five years. The programme for Government contains a specific commitment to double the standard capitation grant for primary schools. Grants to schools for the employment of secretaries and caretakers will also be increased significantly.

In summary, therefore, we have substantially increased funding for schools and will prioritise further improvements in the years ahead.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Is the admission by the Minister that a considerable number of schools have had to go to her Department, cap in hand, to be bailed out because of ongoing debt problems not evidence that the capitation regime is insufficient, particularly with regard to primary schools? Is she aware of a survey carried out by the Irish National Teachers Organisation which shows that as many as one third of schools have to regularly organise fundraising through parents? Does she consider it acceptable that a school has to seek voluntary subscriptions from parents for the privilege of heat and light?

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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This is occurring all over the country and parents are being put under pressure because the State is not doing its job in terms of giving the capitation required.

Regarding band one of the delivering equality of opportunity in schools, DEIS, scheme, which relates to schools in the most disadvantaged areas, will the Minister consider giving additional support to such schools? I recently visited four national schools in disadvantaged areas of my constituency that for the past three years have had an annualised debt problem. These schools have serious problems relating to security and providing resources. I request that the Minister examine again the issues facing the most disadvantaged schools in the country.

Will the Minister comment on a commitment given in the programme for Government to double capitation over the next five years? Why should it take five years? Can the Minister not get on with it in the next two years? This funding should be front-loaded as it is required to meet the escalating costs of running schools.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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It is our intention to double capitation over the lifetime of this Government and I accept that this action is needed. The amount that can be achieved in any year depends upon the Estimates and budget.

Regarding the DEIS scheme, priority funding goes to band one schools. Of the amount of money I previously mentioned, an additional €13.4 million goes to 670 primary schools and 203 post-primary schools while the other €4 million is spent in a more dispersed way. The DEIS scheme has been running for two years and the money is targeted at schools in the most disadvantaged areas so hopefully those schools that have experienced problems previously will now find they have sufficient funding.

We have always recognised, especially through summer works schemes, that some schools in disadvantaged areas need fencing and security cameras and we have tried to facilitate them.