Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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140. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to increase the capitation grant for both primary and post-primary pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49738/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides funding to all recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs including heating, lighting etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. These grants may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.

I am pleased that my Department has been able to provide for increases in capitation funding for primary and post primary schools in recent years.

A rise in the cost of living should never be a barrier to education. I am very pleased therefore to have the support of my colleagues in Government to ensure this remains the case and as part of the cost of living measures I have secured €90m for additional capitation funding in 2022. This is significantly in excess of pre-2011 capitation rates.

All recognised Primary and Post-Primary schools in the Free Education scheme will benefit from this additional capitation funding in 2022 which represents an increase of circa 40% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates.

The additional grant will be paid at the rate of €75 per pupil at Primary level and €113 at Post-Primary level. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational needs.