Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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235. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline, in light of a widely-reported funding crisis at a school (details supplied), the number of primary schools which have contacted her Department this school year about serious funding challenges; the number of such schools which are designated as 'DEIS' schools; if her Department has an emergency fund to assist schools in financial crisis; and to further outline, in the absence of such a fund, how the longer-term viability of schools in financial crisis can be addressed. [14784/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 the employment of relevant secretaries as per Circular 0036/2022.

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 and the Ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils. At post-primary level, schools with fewer than 200 students receive ancillary-related grants on the basis of having 200 students.

As part of the capitation package in Budget 2025 I am pleased to have secured over €30 million as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs. This represents an increase of circa 12% on current standard rates and enhanced rates. This increase is on top of the circa 9.2% increase from last year’s budget. This will bring the standard rate of Capitation grant to the level of €224 per pupil in primary schools and €386 per student in post-primary schools from September 2025. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils.

In addition to these grants, €45 million in cost-of-living supports issued in November 2024, to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. This additional funding announced in Budget 2025 is designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity. This funding was paid at a rate of €36 per pupil in primary schools. Enhanced rates were also paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils. Schools should also ensure that they are availing of the available OGP procurement frameworks and getting best value for money for all school expenditure.

The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU), funded by my Department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on financial matters, including budgeting and cashflow management. Contact details for FSSU can be found on www.fssu.ie.

Breakdown of schools referred to the FSSU

The Department of Education is aware that costs and funding can pose a very real problem for schools, and 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.

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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236. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to invest in more technology classes for secondary schools to meet demand, given the increasing interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at third level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14786/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department supports the introduction of new subjects in existing schools by providing funding for specialist furniture and equipment through the furniture and equipment (F&E) section. If a school wishes to apply for furniture and equipment for the introduction of a new subject they must meeting the following criteria:

- The school has not previously applied for and received requested funding to date relating to the introduction of the new subject in question.

- That the subject is being introduced in the current academic year or upcoming academic year.

- The room in which the new subject is to be taught does not require any major refurbishment or electrical upgrade. The room is ready to furnish and bring in equipment.

If the school is satisfied that they fulfil all of the above criteria then an application can be submitted to my Department by emailing furnitureequipment@education.gov.ie.