Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when he will award the capitation grants to schools; if he will direct his officials to pay the full grant to schools at the beginning of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46156/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Capitation grants to primary schools are paid in two instalments. The first instalment is based on 70% of the grant due from enrolment figures for the previous school year. This payment is made in January. The second instalment is the balance due to the schools based on enrolment in the current school year. This payment is made in June.

In the case of Post-Primary schools capitation grants are paid in three instalments. The first moiety issues in September, followed by payments in January and April. The final payment in April takes account of any variation in a schools' enrolment from the previous year. Payment of the capitation grant in the manner suggested by the Deputy would result in many schools being under or over paid, as the enrolment figures in the majority of schools vary from year to year. I do not propose therefore to change the schedule set out above in respect of the payment of capitation grants to schools.