Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 413: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she intends to raise the level of capitation grants to voluntary secondary schools to bring them in line with other post-primary sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30313/04]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I recently announced, in the context of the 2005 Estimates, an increase in the standard per capita grant from €274 to €286 per pupil, with effect from 1 January next. The increase will bring the per capita grant received by disadvantaged schools to €324 per pupil. Secondary schools will benefit further under the school services support initiative. The initial support grant of €25 per pupil that was introduced for second level schools in September 2000 will increase to €103 from January next. The voluntary secondary schools grant, which has been significantly enhanced in recent years — to €131 from last January — will be further increased by €10 per pupil, bringing the overall grant for such schools to €145 from next January. The increases are in addition to the range of equalisation grants of up to €15,554 per school per annum that have been approved for voluntary secondary schools. Schools have welcomed the improvements. The provision I have made in the context of the 2005 Estimates for the significant increases in the funding of voluntary secondary schools is a clear demonstration of my commitment to prioritise available resources to address the needs of schools.