Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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322. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are any current or upcoming schemes that provide funding for the employment of additional cleaners in primary and post-primary schools, specifically for positions requiring 15 to 20 hours per week (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36578/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to providing 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 and general up-keep, and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities, except for cases where a secretary is now paid from my Department’s payroll as per circular 36/2022.

The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €200 per pupil in primary schools and €345 per student in post-primary schools.

Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the Capitation grant on the basis of having 60 pupils.

In addition to these grants, €20 million in funding was issued in October 2023, to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme. This funding was the first tranche of an overall additional €60 million funding announced as part of Budget 2024 measures designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity. A further €40 million in funding was delivered in early 2024.

As part of the capitation package in Budget 2024 I am pleased to have secured €21 million as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs. This supports a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. This brings the standard rate of Capitation grant to the pre-2011 level of €200 per pupil in primary schools and €345 per student in post-primary schools. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils. This represents an increase of circa 9.2% of current standard rates and the relevant enhanced rates.

More than €400.7 million of additional Covid-19 Capitation grant funding has been made available to recognised primary and post-primary schools to provide for the implementation of infection prevention and control measures to reduce the risk of the spread of Covid-19 to date.

Schools have been reminded that the Covid-19 Capitation payment was a temporary measure and is kept under review. Any potential resumption of Covid-19 capitation grants will be determined by the prevailing public health advice at any time.

Schools are not permitted to spend or retain monies allocated from the Covid-19 grant for any upkeep or maintenance in the school.

I am aware that costs and funding can pose a very real problem for schools, and the Department of Education is constantly working to address this matter, and to enhance the financial and other supports available to schools.

While not wishing to pre-empt the outcomes of any future Budget negotiations or fiscal parameters agreed by Government, the Department of Education will continue to seek and prioritise the funding required to meet the ongoing costs of running schools.