Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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502. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of the much vaunted and often heralded economic recovery, she will restore the capitation grant for national schools to the level pertaining prior to the introduction of the Government's austerity programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25915/15]

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 €60 million during 2015. 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 do recognise the need to improve capitation funding for primary schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years. In the last Budget, I was able to secure the first increase in education spending in recent years. I am determined to continue pressing the case for increased investment in education in the forthcoming budget.