Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 July 2024
288. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of doubling capitation grants to primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28847/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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.
The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €183 per student and the current rate of the Ancillary grant is €173 per student in primary schools. Primary schools with less than 60 pupils are paid the Capitation and the Ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils.
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 will support a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. This will bring the basic rate of capitation grant to the pre-2011 level of €200 per student in 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 and enhanced capitation rates.
Based on the current standard rate of Capitation grant, the estimated cost of a 100% increase in the rate of Capitation grant for 2024/2025 academic year at primary level is a first year cost of €34 million and a full year cost of €99.8 million.
