Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the capitation fees granted to a school with an attendance of between 100 and 150 pupils; the position in relation to schools whose capitation fees do not cover their costs; if additional funding is available for schools to provide caretakers and secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38268/06]

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. The primary school 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 €145.58 with effect from 1st January, 2006. Schools with between 100 and 150 pupils would receive a capitation grant based on these rates. This represents an increase of almost 155% in the standard rate of capitation grant since 1997.

Furthermore enhanced rates of capitation funding are paid in respect of children with special educational needs who attend special schools or special classes attached to mainstream schools. The current rates range from €400.00 to €619.50 per pupil. The standard rate of capitation grant is paid to all primary schools except Gaelscoileanna located outside of Gaeltacht areas which receive an additional €25.39 per pupil over and above the standard rate grant.

The capitation grant is in addition to the Ancillary Services Grant which provides additional funding for primary schools towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services. The standard rate of grant per pupil under the scheme was increased from €102 per pupil in 2002 to the current rate of €139 per pupil. Schools with between 100 and 150 pupils would receive the Ancillary Services Grant based on these rates.

There have also been significant improvements in the level of funding for voluntary secondary schools in recent years. Since January 2005, the standard per capita grant has been increased by a cumulative €24 per pupil and now stands at €298 per pupil. In addition, secondary schools have also benefited from grants introduced under the School Services Support Fund initiative. Under this initiative, a minimum payment grant of €40,688, based on 200 pupils, is paid to schools with 200 pupils or less. This payment brings overall funding towards the running costs including secretarial and caretaking provision in the case of a school with 150 pupils to €85,388 per annum. This Government has shown a strong commitment to improving school funding in recent years and I will continue to prioritise this area in the context of available resources.