Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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374. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the allocated funding for the school completion programme, with confirmation of whether each local management committee has indicated that the budget allocated is sufficient, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15092/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The School Completion Programme (SCP) is funded by my department via Tulsa Education Support Service (TESS) and is a central element of the DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) programme, a key policy initiative of my department to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level, in a targeted and equitable way, across the primary and post-primary sector.

TESS have operational responsibility for the SCP, with local projects operating under the management and direction of a Local Management Committee (LMC). The LMC is responsible for the oversight of the project delivery at local level, including the use of project resources, employment of staff, and accountability for public funds. TESS's role includes approval of the annual Retention Plan for each project, which outlines the priority actions for the year with key measurable outcomes that activates funding.

Funding for all projects is reviewed throughout the year and where surpluses arise TESS redirects this funding to meet emerging needs as identified by the LMC’s.

My department took over responsibility for the SCP in January 2021 and since then the programme has seen an annual increase in funding, and the total allocation for the programme for 2025 is just under €36m.

In addition, my department has committed significant resources to addressing the recommendations in the 2015 and the 2025 ESRI Reports.

I am committed to ensuring a continued focus on tackling educational disadvantage and early school leaving, and that the needs of the children and young people participating in this programme are met.

Once the relevant funding figures for each project for 2023/24 are available from TESS, officials from my department will contact the deputy directly.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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375. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the plans to increase schools funding in the context of rising utility costs. [15093/25]

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 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.

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.