Written answers

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Department of Education and Science

School Curriculum

9:00 pm

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 532: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he foresees changes to the junior certificate schools programme and the leaving certificate applied programme arising from the Budget 2009 constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40674/08]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently 225 schools/centres offering the Junior Certificate School Programme, and the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) is currently offered in some 380 schools and centres and taken by around 6% of students each year. I have no plans for change in the implementation of these programmes at present.

In framing the budget this year, a range of very difficult policy choices had to be faced by the Government across all areas of public expenditure, including in the field of education. While education remains a priority for the Government, it has been necessary to curtail expenditure in some areas. Among the areas affected are the Junior Certificate School Programme and the Leaving Certificate Applied where the special grant has been ceased. However, I would like to emphasise that the capitation grant for post-primary schools has been increased by4.3%, representing an increase of €14 per student, to bring it to €345 per student from January 2009.

In addition, voluntary secondary schools will benefit also from an increase in the school services support grant by €8 per student from January 2009. This will mean, for example, that a secondary school with an enrolment of 500 students will receive an additional €11,000 in funding in 2009.

I am confident that the Junior Certificate School Programme and the Leaving Certificate Applied will continue to be viable options for students.

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