Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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479. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the reduction in capitation grants will be reversed as the cumulative effect of these cuts are placing serious strain on many schools' capacity to function. [3787/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The last Budget included an increase in spending on education for the first time in recent years, amounting to additional funding of €60m during 2015. As I have mentioned in response to previous parliamentary questions, that increase has provided funding for 1,700 additional teachers and SNAs to be recruited for our schools, as well as funding important reforms. However, it was not possible to secure the funding which would be required to also increase the rates of capitation paid to our schools.

I am determined that education will be prioritised for further investment in future years, and I believe that increasing the staffing and funding of our schools should be priorities for such investment.