Written answers

Wednesday, 9 March 2005

Department of Education and Science

Capitation Grants

9:00 pm

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department will bring forward any changes in the capitation allocation made to secondary, vocational and community schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7865/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Differing funding arrangements have evolved for the different school types at second level. At the core of all arrangements is a reliance upon capitation as the principle determinant of funding. There are, however, significant differences in the approaches to the funding of back-up services such as for secretaries and caretakers. In my view, it is important to consider any changes in the allocation of funding in the wider context of the equalisation of funding arrangements across the second level system. This Government and its predecessor have removed some of the anomalies and the process continues.

Significant improvements have been made in the level of funding to secondary schools. The standard capitation grant has been increased substantially in recent years, to €286 per pupil in 2005. In addition to this, a number of new grants, such as the school services support grant, have also been introduced. I was particularly pleased to announce an aggregate increase of €26 per pupil from 1 January 2005 in the standard per capita grant and support services grant for voluntary secondary schools.

This significant increase builds on my commitment towards enhanced "equalisation" funding measures for voluntary secondary schools. Under the terms of recent equalisation measures, the support services grant in the case of voluntary secondary schools has been increased by an additional €42 per pupil, bringing the overall grant to €145 per pupil with effect from January 2005. This equalisation measure for voluntary secondary schools, that is paid in addition to grants of up to €15,554 per school, is designed to reduce the historic anomalies in the funding arrangements for the different school types at second level. Schools have considerable discretion as to how this funding is best utilised in the interests of their pupils and schools. This is, in general, a preferable approach to putting in place grants for specific cost items.

I am committed to improving further the funding position of second level schools in the light of available resources and to addressing the issue of equity highlighted by the voluntary school sector.

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