John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason national schools have to pay approximately €300 to purchase an ordnance survey map that is taught as part of the syllabus; if she will negotiate with the Ordnance Survey Office in this regard in view of the financial difficulty it causes for the schools in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12248/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Primary schools' running costs are met by my Department's scheme of capitation grants. These grants are intended to contribute towards the general operating costs of schools which would include heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, painting, teaching aids and other miscellaneous charges. It would not be feasible for my Department to interfere in the costing and billing of ordnance survey maps for schools.

The capitation grant has been increased substantially in recent years. Since 1997 the standard rate of capitation grant has been increased from €57.14 per pupil to €133.58 with effect from 1 January, 2005 and has been further increased by €12 per pupil with effect from 1 January 2006, bringing the standard rate to €145.58. This represents an increase of almost 155% in the standard rate of capitation grant since 1997. The latest increase in the level of capitation grant is a clear demonstration of my commitment to improve the financial position of primary schools.