Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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251. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will engage with schools on the return of unspent Covid grants to the FSSU; whether this return can be reconsidered in some cases (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53674/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 257 together.

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, general up-keep etc. 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.

In addition to these grants, €20 million in funding was issued during the mid-term break, to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. This funding is the first tranche of an overall additional €60 million funding announced as part of Budget 2024 measures designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity. A further €40 million in funding will be delivered in 2024.

I understand the need for increased capitation funding and I am pleased that I have been able to provide for significant increases in capitation funding for primary and post-primary schools in Budget 2024 which includes also a permanent restoration of capitation funding as well as an increase for cost of living pressures.

This year’s Budget will provide targeted funding for school communities with an increase in capitation of over €81 million.

The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €183 per pupil at Primary level and will be paid to schools in January & June 2024 for the 2023/24 academic year.

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 and to €345 in voluntary secondary schools. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational Needs. This represents an increase of circa 9.2% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates.

Schools also receive an Ancillary Services Grant. The standard rate is €173 per pupil in primary schools and €224.50 per student in post-primary schools.

More than €400.7 million of additional Covid-19 Capitation grant funding has been made available to recognised primary and post-primary schools to provide for the implementation of infection prevention and control measures to reduce the risk of the spread of Covid-19 to date.

Schools have been reminded that the Covid-19 Capitation payment is a temporary measure and is kept under review. The continued payment of Covid-19 capitation grants will be determined by the prevailing public health advice at the time.

Schools are not permitted to spend or retain monies allocated from the Covid grant for any upkeep or maintenance in the school.

The services of the Financial Support Serviced Unit (FSSU) are available to all Primary schools and this includes advice and assistance with financial matters including budgeting. You may contact them at 01 910 4020 or email primary@fssu.ie if you feel this would be of benefit to your school.