Written answers

Tuesday, 17 November 2015

Department of Education and Skills

Departmental Correspondence

Photo of Eric ByrneEric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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504. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence regarding resources for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 18; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40084/15]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The correspondence referred to by the Deputy covered many areas and I have set out below the position in relation to each of them.

In relation to teaching posts, the criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts, including GAM/EAL (learning/language support) is published annually on the Department website. The staffing arrangements for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Circular 0005/2015.

Under these arrangements a school's GAM/EAL allocation for the 2015/16 school year is based on its mainstream classroom posts for the 2014/15 school year. Appendix C of Circular 0005/2015 lists the GAM/EAL allocation for all schools.

Schools have autonomy on how to deploy the resource between language support and learning support depending on their specific needs.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has recommended the introduction of a new resource allocation model for schools, which will allow schools to allocate resources to pupils taking into account their individual learning needs, as opposed to being based primarily on a diagnosis of a particular disability. It is also designed to factor in the educational profile of the student cohort in the school. A pilot of this new resource allocation model is currently taking place in a number of schools.

In relation to school buildings, I want to assure you that funding is being made available as part of the Government's continued commitment to fund improvement and upgrading works in existing school buildings throughout the country. In this regard, I am pleased to be able to tell you that, earlier this month, I was able to announce that a minor works grant will be paid to primary schools later this year.

I also announced that a multi-annual Summer Works Scheme will be run in 2016 and 2017. The Summer Works Scheme for 2016 is now open for applications on the Esinet portal with full details of the Scheme itself on the Department's website www.education.ie.The school in question can apply for funding under the 2016 Scheme for any high priority works needed to the building.

In relation to funding, 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.

I do recognise however the need to improve capitation funding for primary schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years. In Budget 2015 I was able to secure the first increase in education spending in recent years and a further increase in education spending was achieved in Budget 2016. I am determined to continue pressing the case for increased investment in education.

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