Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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64. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the impact of inflation on costs for schools in the context of a 5% increase in the capitation grant will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42087/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools. The Programme for Government commits to capitation increases in primary and post primary schools and it is one of the actions included in the Action Plan for Education.

I am pleased to have been able to provide an increase in capitation of 5% from September 2019, the full year cost of which is €10m. I see this increase as the beginning of a process of improving the level of capitation.

As the deputy will be aware indexation has not been possible for many years due to the impact of the crash. Some element of indexation has been built into the ancillary grant and the payment of Minor Works Grant has given schools some flexibility in responding to pressures.

I do plan to move towards multiannual provision in the area of capitation as resources permit to allow schools more certainty for planning.