Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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241. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the capitation fees paid in respect of second level Education and Training Board schools; the rates that apply to comprehensive and voluntary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33913/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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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 condition of buildings, size of school etc.

With regard to the ETB sector financial allocations are made to ETBs as part of a block grant. ETBs 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 and these are set out on the attached schedule.

Fee charging schools do not receive any capitation or related grants from my Department.

Voluntary Secondary Schools in the Free Education Scheme

Per Capita Grant Rates for general running costs and funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services with effect from 1 January 2015

Standard Capitation Grant €296 per pupil, less the contribution to teachers’ salaries of €562.5 per Serving Permanent/CID based on the figures contained in each schools schedule of Department supported posts. The grant is paid in three instalments in September, January and April.

School Services Support Fund (SSSF) €201per pupil payable in three instalments in September, January and April. Each eligible school receives the SSSF grant, which is calculated at a minimum enrolment rate of 200 pupils and thereafter according to enrolment.

Grants for Secretaries

Basic Secretarial Grant-€36per pupil

SSSF Secretary Grant-€24per pupil

Schools employing secretaries under ‘the 1978 scheme’ do not receive any secretary grants.

Grants for Caretakers

Basic Caretaker Grant -€30per pupil

SSSF Caretaker Grant -€18 per pupil

To qualify for the basic secretary and caretaker grants, a school must have an enrolment figure of at least 200 pupils. The grant is calculated by multiplying the enrolment figure by the rate up to a maximum of 350 pupils. These grants are calculated according to the previous school year’s enrolment figures.

All schools, regardless of enrolment, receive the SSSF caretaker and secretary grants, which are calculated at a minimum enrolment rate of 200 pupils and thereafter according to enrolment up to a maximum of 350 pupils.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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242. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of increasing the capitation fees paid in respect of voluntary second level schools by 10%; and by 20%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33914/15]

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.

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

Each 10% increase in capitation and related grants for voluntary secondary schools would cost approx. €9m.

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.