Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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227. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the capitation grant awarded to a school (details supplied) will be reviewed based on the circumstances outlined. [39717/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Funding for primary and post-primary schools is dealt with on a per capita basis. The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc., and the ancillary services grant to cater for the cost of employing services staff. The school referred to by the Deputy received a capitation grant which amounted to €22,617 and ancillary grant which amounted to €45,828 in 2018.

Schools are permitted to regard the capitation and ancillary grant as a combined grant.

Responsibility for procurement of insurance and payment of same rests with Board of Management in respect of schools operated by them. If a particular school has a query in relation to the cost of insurance it should raise this directly with its insurance provider. Boards of Management should take a proactive approach when it comes to sourcing insurance in order to ensure best value is obtained and to ensure compliance with public procurement procedures. The Schools Procurement Unit, which has a national remit, is available to advise and assist schools in relation to procurement matters.

Issues relating specifically to insurance costs in special schools were brought to my attention through correspondence received from a number of special schools and through discussions with the National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education (NABMSE).

I am advised that general increases in costs this year were due, in some instances, to an annual increase in insurance costs generally and in some cases, an increase in claims against special schools.