Written answers

Tuesday, 12 February 2008

Department of Education and Science

Capitation Grants

9:00 pm

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 490: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if arising from the Government decision regarding local authorities and the water rate charges for schools she will increase the capitation grant per pupil retrospectively by €3 for the year 2007 and by €3.50 for 2008; if she will provide an additional €4 charge for 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4845/08]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 497: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps, in view of the joint presentation (details supplied) on the issue of water charges, that have been taken by her Department to co-operate in the implementation of the Government decision of 4 January 2008 to fix a [i]per capita [/i]charge of €3 per pupil for 2007, €3.50 per pupil for 2008 and €4 per pupil for 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4853/08]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 490 and 497 together.

The cost pressures on schools are taken into account by my Department in determining the levels of annual increases in the capitation grants paid to schools to meet their day to day running costs. Primary schools are now receiving €178 per pupil from my Department to meet their day to day running costs — an increase of nearly 70% on the 2002 rate of €105 and €33 more per child than they received in 2006. 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 €457 to €880 per pupil — an increase of 42% from the rate in 2006.

As the Deputy will be aware, we are committed to doubling the capitation grant for primary schools over a five year period. The Deputy will be also be aware that there have been significant improvements in recent years in the level of funding for voluntary secondary schools. With effect from January 2008, the standard per capita grant was increased by €15 per pupil and now amounts to €331 per pupil. In addition, voluntary secondary schools have benefited by the increase of €15 per pupil in 2008 in the support services grant, bringing that grant to €204 per pupil.

The cumulative increase of €30 per pupil in a voluntary secondary school brings the aggregate grant to €535 per pupil. These grants are in addition to the per capita funding of up to €40,000 per school that is also provided by my Department to secondary schools towards secretarial and caretaking services. For example, in the case of a secondary school with 500 pupils, this brings annual grants towards general expenses and support service to over €300,000. Budget allocations for schools in the Community and Comprehensive school sector, along with those in the VEC sector, are increased on a pro rata basis with increases in the per capita grant. All schools are eligible for recurrent per capita grants towards special classes and curricular support grants.

An information package is currently being prepared for schools on the most appropriate measures to minimise excess consumption of water and to reduce wastage where it exists. As part of this exercise, technical guidance and specifications for the most common problems that are likely to arise in this area will be provided. In addition, water conservation issues will continue to be addressed by my Department as a matter of routine where new schools are being built or where major renovations are being carried out to existing schools under the schools modernisation programme. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will advise local authorities of the detailed arrangements which will be put in place to implement the decision on water charges for schools.

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