Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 516: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the way the decision on a reduction in funding in respect of transition year grants will be implemented; the criteria which will be applied in order to decide when grants will be withdrawn; the amount of savings which will be made by this reduction in funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9663/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The transition year grant was abolished for all schools with effect from 1 January 2009. Savings of approximately €2.55 million are expected to accrue as a result of its abolition.

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 was necessary to curtail expenditure in some areas.

While certain grants were 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 since January 2009.

Voluntary secondary schools have also benefited from an increase in the school services support grant by €8 per pupil since January 2009. This means, for example, that a secondary school with an enrolment of 500 pupils will receive an additional €11,000 in funding in 2009.