Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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176. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review correspondence from a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53137/25]

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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203. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to urgently address the underinvestment in schools, the overcrowded classrooms, the stretched resources and the growing demands on staff (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53401/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 203 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the recent Budget announcement includes a record level of investment in education and youth services by the Government.

This includes increases to capitation funding for primary and post primary schools to help with running costs. There is also funding to implement a new DEIS Plus scheme from September 2026 to support those at the highest risk of educational disadvantage.

It will also fund 860 additional special education teachers and over 1700 additional SNAs to support pupils with special education needs. There is also provision for school transport services and the roll out of school therapy in special schools.

In addition, in 2026, the National Development Plan will support progressing the delivery of school building projects.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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177. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to examine the case to urgently increase capitation funding for primary schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53142/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to increasing funding to support schools and the Programme for Government commits to increasing capitation funding to schools of all types to ensure that schools can meet the elevated day-to-day running costs.

The commitment in the Programme for Government builds on the progress which has been made in recent years, including an over €30 million permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs through Budget 2025. This represents an increase of circa 12% on current standard rates and enhanced rates. This has resulted in the standard rates increasing from €200 to €224 for primary schools and from €345 to €386 per student in post-primary schools with effect from September 2025. Over the last two Budgets there has been a circa 22% increase in the level of capitation grant rates paid to schools. Enhanced rates are also paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils.

As part of the capitation package in Budget 2026, I am pleased that a total of €39m was secured for a permanent increase in mainstream capitation grant funding for schools, bringing the mainstream rate of capitation to €274 per pupil in primary schools and to €406 in post-primary schools for the 2026/2027 school year.

The 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 €224 per pupil in primary schools and €386 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.

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 the 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.