Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 224: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide information regarding primary and secondary schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21354/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department provides capitation funding to all recognised primary schools and post primary schools within the free education scheme. As the Deputy is aware Budget 2012 provided for a 2% reduction in the funding for capitation and related grants to primary and second level schools in both 2012 and 2013 and a further 1% in 2014 and 2015.

Due to my decision of 21st February last, to retain posts from previous disadvantage schemes in DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 primary schools, it was necessary to generate alternative savings within the primary education budget. This has been achieved by bringing forward to this year 1.5% of the 2% reduction in overall capitation funding originally scheduled for 2013. The funding arrangements made by my Department for post primary schools reflect the sectoral division of our second-level system. At the core of all arrangements is reliance upon capitation as the principal determinant of funding.

My Department provides funding to Community and Comprehensive schools on a budget basis that is based mainly on pupil numbers, but also take into account additional factors which vary from school to school such as age of buildings, size of school etc. With regard to the VEC sector financial allocations are made to VECs as part of a block grant. VECs are given a high level of autonomy in the management and appropriation of this grant and each is allowed to distribute its allocations in line with its priorities and perceptions of need.

My Department provides funding to voluntary secondary schools by way of per capita grants. Fee charging schools do not receive any capitation or related grants from my Department. The capitation rates requested by the Deputy are set out in the following tables. 1: Post Primary Grants The following rates apply to Voluntary Post Primary schools.

2: Primary Per Capita Rates

The following rates are for mainstream pupils, pupils in special classes in mainstream schools and pupils in Special Schools. Special School capitation is paid under FLE.