Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will urgently review the start-up grant for a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the inadequate funding provided and the urgent necessity for the school to open. [21803/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the funding pressures on schools generally including also those in relation to the setting up of new schools.

It is a key priority for Government to improve funding for the day-to-day running costs of schools to help address these funding pressures. Specific commitments in relation to improving school funding form a central part of the education provisions of 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.

All Programme for Government commitments to improve public services including those relating to improving school funding are contingent on the economic and budgetary environment and the need for prudent expenditure and fiscal management. Even since the presentation of Budget 2008 last December there have been significant alterations in the external and domestic environment. The Government will continue to prioritise further improvements on school funding, including also for new schools, and this approach is the best way of sustaining the substantial improvements into the future.

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.