Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 702: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools that have contacted his Department in the 2007-08 school year to report difficulties relating to annual running costs; if such schools have been provided debt relief by his Department; if so, the amount of debt relief paid out by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28950/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department does not operate a debt relief scheme for schools. However a small number of schools have sought assistance as an exceptional matter to deal with serious financial difficulties.

Between 2002 and 2006, additional financial assistance for this purpose was provided to a total of 97 schools, mainly serving disadvantaged areas. In 2002, 26 schools received approximately €341,000. In 2003, 25 schools were allocated a total of €519,000. In 2004, €108,000 was given to 10 schools. In 2005, 32 schools shared a total of €784,000; and in 2006, just over €112,000 was paid to 4 schools.

During the same period, the following numbers of schools sought assistance:

2002 — 27 schools;

2003 — 27 schools;

2004 — 33 schools;

2005 — 43 schools;

2006 — 52 schools.

It should be noted that the responsibility for sound financial management of schools' affairs rests with school authorities and these were exceptional payments. Funding to schools to cover their day-to-day running costs has increased substantially in recent years.

With increases in capitation and ancillary services funding, primary schools are now getting €105 more per pupil per year than they were in 2002. The capitation grant has been increased to €178.58 per child, and the ancillary services grant has risen to €151.50 per child, bringing the total value of both grants to €330 per pupil. This amounts to almost €100,000 a year for a 300-pupil school.

There have also 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. Schools have, therefore, benefited from major increases in funding in recent years.

The Deputy will be aware that as well as general increases in capitation funding, extra financial supports are being provided to schools under the DEIS action plan for educational inclusion. In the current school year, DEIS related grants totalling almost €19 million were paid to schools to meet the needs of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. The comparable amount paid for 2006/2007 was almost €17 million.

The Government will continue to prioritise the needs of schools serving disadvantaged communities going forward. The emphasis on tackling educational disadvantage in recent years is absolutely unprecedented. In 2008, we are investing over €800 million in measures aimed at tackling disadvantage at all levels. This represents an increase of nearly €70 million on the 2007 figure and an almost 74% increase on the €460 million provided in 2003.

As well as continuing to prioritise disadvantaged schools, we are also determined to ensure that both primary and post-primary schools benefit from increased funding over the lifetime of the Government. The Programme for Government contains a specific commitment to double the standard capitation grant for primary schools. Grants to schools for the employment of secretaries and caretakers will also be increased significantly.

In summary, therefore, we have substantially increased funding for schools and will prioritise further improvements in the years ahead.