Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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688. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide estimates on the amount it would cost to restore the capitation grant for schools to pre-2008 levels. [30325/15]

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. 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.

The 2015 Primary Capitation rates are approx. 2.5% in excess of the rates applicable pre 2008 while the 2015 Post Primary Voluntary Sector Capitation rates are approx. 2.3% below those applicable pre 2008.

I am aware of the impact budgetary decisions taken in our economic crisis have had on capitation and related grants to our primary and second level schools.

Increasing capitation and related funding by 1% would cost approx. €3.7m. (€2.1m at Primary Level, €1.6m at Second Level).

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