Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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494. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the increase in capitation grant to €406 for children in special schools once they turn 12 will come into effect; and the number of special schools that will receive this. [55288/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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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.

As part of the capitation package in Budget 2026, I am pleased that a total of €39 million 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 per student in post-primary schools for the 2026/27 school year.

The increased capitation rates will also see special schools now receive increased rates of capitation for students aged 12 and over, as with their peers in mainstream post-primary schools.

Enhanced rates of capitation currently apply to all students in special schools. However, for the majority of students in special schools, there was no increase in this enhanced rate when students reached the age of 12. This has now been addressed in Budget 2026 to reflect the difference which applies to their mainstream peers. This adjustment reflects the higher costs associated with education provision for older students and ensures funding on a fair and equitable basis across educational settings for all students.

Each special school, with a student(s) enrolled aged 12 or over, will benefit from this increase and up to 139 special schools are expected to benefit from this measure.