Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the implementation of the Oireachtas Report on Tackling School Costs; if she will commit to putting adequate levels of resources for voluntary secondary schools in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22028/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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It is existing policy to equalise the gap in funding between post-primary schools in the different sectors and progress was made in the years up to 2009 and the economic downturn.

The equalisation policy was implemented through incremental improvement in the funding of voluntary secondary schools compared to others, by year on year improvements in the Schools Services Support Fund (a per capita grant) and higher percentage increases were given to voluntary secondary schools.

The period of fiscal consolidation and cuts to capitation has interrupted progress on this policy objective. It is estimated that up to €21m has been provided in equalisation funding between 2001 and 2009.

I am committed to making further progress on the equalisation policy as the public finances improve.

With regard to school costs this Government has been active in pursuing methods to alleviate this cost and these include:

- A €15.6m investment in investment targeted specifically at primary school book rental/loan schemes

- Publishing of Book Rental Scheme Guidelines encouraging school management authorities to embrace a more cost-conscious and value for money approach when deciding the textbooks for use in their schools.

- Agreement of the voluntary Code of Practice with the association of book publishers to limit publication of new editions and provide bulk ordering discounts to schools

- The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill which prohibits the charging of any fees or contributions as part of the school admission process

- Published Circular Letter 0063/2013 seeks to tackle the costs of school uniforms by strengthening the role of parents in how schools decide their policies on uniforms

This is an area I will continue to keep under review.