Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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159. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to increase capitation grants in order that each school has the staff and resources they need to deliver for all of their students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45666/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I understand the need for improved capitation funding and I am pleased that budget 2020 has been able to provide for a further 2.5% increase in standard capitation funding for primary and post-primary schools that applied from the start of the 2020/21 school year. This builds on the 5% increase in capitation announced in budget 2019.

The combined increases given in 2019 and 2020 mean that circa 40% restoration will be achieved.

All schools have received the benefit of the capitation increases awarded to date. It is my intention to seek funding for further capitation increases in future budgets. However I must be prudent in the context of ongoing budgetary pressures given the current economic circumstances.