Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount of taxpayers money which has been provided to a school (details supplied) in County Galway in the form of current and capital expenditure since 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33778/06]

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps she will take to prevent the closure of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33781/06]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the plans in place to cater for existing students and new students following the recent announcement to close a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if she will provide the necessary funding to continue the excellent education system there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33795/06]

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 327: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the proposed closure of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if her further attention has been drawn to the academic excellence of the school and that there is no spare capacity in adjoining schools to take the students if the closure is allowed to go ahead; if she will enter negotiations both with the local board of management, principal and staff and representatives of the Mercy Order to ensure the continuation of this school either as an all girls school or as co-educational school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33817/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 314, 317, 322 and 325 to 327, inclusive, together.

At the outset I want to acknowledge the impact this important decision has on the local community in the area in question. However, I must point out that as the school in question is a voluntary secondary school the decision to withdraw as providers of Education is within the remit of the Patron body, that is the Sisters of Mercy.

My Department's role is to ensure that there are sufficient places available to meet demand in a given area. My officials are examining the implications of the phased closure with a view to ensuring that the educational needs of the children in the area continue to be met.

Capital investment of €305,505 has been made in the school since 2000. Current funding for Seamount, Kinvara, in line with the funding of Voluntary Secondary schools generally, is structured on the basis of per capita grants, based on enrolments, with additional support for caretaking and secretarial support.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 315: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a five year commitment of funding for Catholic second level schools; if her Department intends to commit towards the continuation of these schools after five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33779/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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There has been substantial progress made in the funding of our schools since 2003. Spending by my Department on second level education increased by 17% between 2003 and 2005. In 2005 €2.7 billion was spent on second-level education, up from €2.3 billion in 2003 and €1.25 billion in 1997. These increases have allowed for major progress to be made both in the staffing and in the day-to-day funding of our schools.

Day to day funding for our schools has increased significantly in recent years. The standard capitation grant of €266 per pupil in 2003 now stands at €298 per pupil from 1 January last. In addition, the support services grant for secondary schools has been increased from €127 per pupil in 2003 to €159 per pupil from January last. This per capita grant is in addition to a range of equalisation grants of up to some €15,500 per school per annum that were also approved for voluntary secondary schools.

These significant increases in the funding and staffing of schools are a clear demonstration of my commitment to prioritise available resources to address the needs of schools. While there is no doubt that issues of demographics and parental choice will have an impact on the future shape of educational delivery in Ireland, I have no plans to alter the current funding arrangements.