Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by the primary management bodies in relation to the funding of primary schools; if, in this context she will consider their submission made by letter dated 29 February 2008 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10249/08]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views in relation to submissions (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10202/08]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 406: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10402/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 440: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 12; her plans to address this issue in early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10717/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 365, 391, 406 and 440 together.

I can confirm that I have recently received correspondence from An Taoiseach on behalf of the Primary Management Bodies in relation to primary school funding. It is a key priority for the Government to improve funding for the day-to-day running costs of schools. For that reason specific commitments in relation to improving school funding form a central part of the education provisions in the Programme for Government. These commitments are a direct follow on from the clear thrust of Government policy over recent years to improve the position of primary schools in particular. In 2008 alone my Department will be paying around €167m to primary schools to meet their day to day running costs. The improvements announced in the last budget mean that the combined day-to-day funding for primary schools will increase by €21 to €330 per pupil. As a result, a primary school with 300 pupils will receive almost €100,000 to meet their running costs.

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 €178.58 from 1st January, 2008. This represents an increase of 212% 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 €457.00 to €880 per pupil — an increase of 42% from the rate in 2006.

I agree that increases in primary capitation must be a priority and that is why we are committed to doubling it by 2012. This year, despite the overall difficult economic environment I delivered an increase of €15 per pupil on capitation levels in 2008. I want to assure the Deputy that this Government has a track record of significantly increasing funding for schools and we will continue to build on this and deliver on our Programme for Government commitment.