Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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341. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the ancillary services grant for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare where there is a shortfall of funding; the alternative forms of funding available for this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37054/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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My Department provides capitation funding to all recognised primary schools.

The amount of grant paid to an individual primary school for capitation and ancillary services is determined by the school's enrolment, subject to a minimum grant for both capitation and ancillary services in respect of schools with enrolments up to 60, and a maximum ancillary services grant in the case of schools with enrolments of 500 or more. I have no plans to change these arrangements.

In 2015 the capitation grant is €170 per pupil, and the Ancillary Services Grant is €147 per pupil.

The Deputy may wish to note that Circular 40/2009 clarifies issues relating to the allocation of funding for primary schools. The circular states that capitation funding provided for general running costs and funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.

It should also be noted that the Minor Works Grant is being paid to all primary schools before the end of 2015. This grant will enable minor works to be carried out at school level and should help schools to reduce their maintenance costs and therefore ease some of their budgetary pressures.