Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 1846: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will increase the capitation grant to a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow in view of the fact that the school is running annually at a loss and parents have to continuously fundraise and pay voluntary contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30321/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The scope for any increases in the capitation grant for this or any other school has to be considered in the context of Government budgetary policy and the overall economic climate.

My Department is aware of the funding pressures on schools. However, progress has been made in recent years that has seen the primary school capitation grant increased from €81.26 per pupil in 2000 to its current rate of €178.58. This represents an increase of almost 120% in the standard rate of capitation grant since 2000. This compares to a cumulative increase in the Consumer Price Index between 2000 and the end of 2007 of about 30%.

In 2008 alone the Department has paid around €167m to primary schools to meet their day to day running costs. The improvements mean that the combined day-to-day funding for primary schools has increased 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.

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.

Voluntary contributions by parents of pupils in recognised primary schools are permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of compulsion to pay and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own volition. The manner in which such voluntary contributions are sought and collected is a matter for school management, however their collection should be such as not to create a situation where either parents or pupils could reasonably infer that the contributions take on a compulsory character.