John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 563: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount of money saved to the Exchequer for a full school year by the abolition of the leaving certificate applied grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42390/08]

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 564: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount of money saved to the Exchequer for a full school year by the abolition of the transition year grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42391/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 and 564 together.

In framing the budget, 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. While certain grants are to be abolished, I would like to emphasise that the capitation grant for post-primary schools has been increased by 4.3%, representing an increase of €14 per pupil, to bring it to €345 per pupil from January 2009.

Voluntary secondary schools will also benefit also from an increase in the school services support grant by €8 per pupil from January 2009. This will mean, for example, that a secondary school with an enrolment of 500 pupils will receive an additional €11,000 in funding in 2009. The abolition of the Transition Year grant is expected to save €2.55 million. It is estimated that savings in the order of €1.2 million will be made by the abolition of the Leaving Certificate Applied grant.