Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

237. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if pupils who are enrolled in a school after 30 September will be included in enrolment numbers of that school for capitation purposes in cases in which it is clear that such pupils were not enrolled in any other school in this State at the end of September; if this matter will be given further consideration in view of the increased movement of persons and families to this State in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63021/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

The amount paid to an individual school is determined by the school’s recognised enrolments for the current school year. Further information relating to the Capitation Grant are available in the relevant circulars on my Departments website at the links below.

Primary capitation grant circular 0038/2020 gov.ie - gov.ie - Revision of Capitation Grant Rates for recognised Primary Schools in 2020 (gov.ie)

Voluntary Secondary schools capitation grant 0052/2020 gov.ie - gov.ie - Revision of Capitation Grant Rates for Voluntary Secondary Schools in the Free Education Scheme (gov.ie)

In addition to the grants referred to above, as part of the Cost of Living measures introduced in Budget 2023, €90 million has been provided in once-off additional funding to support increased running costs for recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme, in particular in dealing with challenges they face in the light of rising energy costs.

This additional grant, which issued to schools recently, was paid at the rate of €75 per pupil at Primary level and €113 at Post-Primary level. Enhanced rates were also paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational needs. Further details are available in Circular 0077/2022 available on my Department’s website and may be accessed at the following link: gov.ie/en/circular/467fa-once-off-cost-of-living-measure-to-support-increased-school-running-costs/

In the context of the current cost of living crisis I would expect this very significant additional funding being made available to schools will be sufficient to meet increased running costs.

However, the government has made provision for a review of the position in 2023. Should additional funding be required this will be considered in light of all other competing demands at that time as well as the level of funding available.