Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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245. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-year cost of increasing the capitation grant at primary and secondary levels by 5%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23754/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides funding to recognised Primary and Post-Primary 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 such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc. and the Ancillary/School Services Support Fund (SSSF) 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.

Schools also receive a range of other grants including Book Grants, Programme grants, etc.

I understand the need for improved capitation funding and 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.

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.

In addition, as part of the Cost of Living measures introduced in Budget 23, €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 was paid at the rate of €75 per pupil at Primary level and €113 per pupil at Post-Primary level. Enhanced rates were also paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational Needs.

Annual funding would need to be increased by circa €10.4m to increase the capitation grant by 5%. This would cost €5m at primary and €5.4m at post-primary.