Written answers

Wednesday, 28 September 2005

Department of Education and Science

Departmental Funding

9:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 1166: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to address the discrepancy in the level of funding provided for voluntary second level schools and those in the community and comprehensive sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25089/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The funding arrangements made by my Department for second level schools reflect the sectoral division of our second level system. At the core of all arrangements is a reliance upon capitation as the principal determinant of funding. There are, however, significant differences in the approaches to the funding of backup services such as for secretarial and caretaking services. This Government and its predecessor have removed some of the anomalies and the process continues.

There have been significant improvements in the level of funding for voluntary secondary schools in recent years. In addition to the increases in the standard per capita grant that now stands at €286 per pupil from January last, voluntary secondary schools have benefited additionally by the introduction of grants under the school services support initiative. The standard support services grant that was increased to €103 from January 2005 was increased further to €145 per pupil in the case of voluntary secondary schools. This increased grant of €42 per pupil is paid in addition to the range of equalisation grants of up to €15,554 —€44.44 per pupil — per annum that have also been approved for voluntary secondary schools. These significant increases in the funding of secondary schools is a clear demonstration of my commitment to prioritise available resources to address the needs of schools.

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