Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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120. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the long-term funding plans for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45526/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Department along with the Government is committed to supporting the provision of appropriate education to children with disabilities. Budget 2025 provides for a record level of investment in special education with €2.9 billion of my Department’s overall budget allocated for special education. This represents 6% or a €159 million increase on the 2024 provision.

School funding is provided by way of capitation which is intended to contribute to the day-to-day running costs of schools and is used to meet the cost of items such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general upkeep in schools. The current standard rate of capitation grant is €200 per pupil in primary schools. However, enhanced capitation rates are payable in respect of pupils attending special schools and special classes attached to mainstream schools. These enhanced rates are to assist with the extra costs associated with running classrooms with a small number of pupils receiving specialist provision. Enhanced rates of capitation for special educational needs are inclusive of the mainstream rate of €200, are based on the pupil’s additional needs, and vary from €512 to €986 per pupil. Scoil Mochua received a total of €67,519 in capitation funding for the 2023/2024 school year. A mainstream school with similar enrolments would receive €13,773.

In addition to these grants, €45 million in cost-of-living supports will issue in 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. Special rates for electricity and heating have been negotiated for schools. There is support available in relation to accessing a group insurance scheme for special schools by liaising with the relevant management body, the National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education.

As part of the capitation package in Budget 2025 over €30 million was secured 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 approximately 12% on current standard rates and enhanced rates. This increase is on top of the approximately 9.2% increase from last year’s budget.

School staff such as teachers and special needs assistants are paid directly by the Department of Education, and ancillary staff are paid either directly by the Department or through a specific grant paid to school. The Department funds 11 teaching posts and 36.5 SNA posts in the school. For this school year 2024/2025 the school was allocated a new Administrative Deputy Principal and an additional 9 post-primary teaching hours per week. The school also have an additional 15 part-time specialist teaching hours.

The Assistive Technology Scheme is provided by the department to supplement the overall approach to providing funding to schools for digital technology and equipment to support children with more complex learning needs who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment. In total €41,150 has been provided to the school for assistive technology over the previous three-year period.

A school can also apply for specialised furniture or equipment for pupils with special educational needs who are enrolled in the school. This includes furniture for a particular child's postural and toileting needs which assists the students in managing their day to day needs and facilitates their access to the curriculum.

A major building project that will provide a new school building for Scoil Mochua is currently being advanced. The project has been devolved for delivery to the Central Remedial Clinic. The project is currently at detailed design stage, of the architectural planning design process.

Scoil Mochua will continue to receive enhanced levels of support from the Department in line with other special schools providing for the equivalent level of special educational needs.

The Department remains available to work with the school and school patron on any issues they have in relation to funding needs .