A meeting was held to highlight the current crisis with School Capitation funding in Scoil Bhríde, Mountrath, on Monday June 19.
The Capitation Grant is paid to primary and voluntary secondary schools and is based on the number of recognised pupils enrolled in the schools.
Key political influencers such as the three current Laois TDs – Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan, deputy Sean Fleming and deputy Brian Stanley attended the meeting.
Councillors John Joe Fennelly, Seamus McDonald and Brendan Phelan were also present.
Chairperson David Page and Scoil Bhríde Mountrath principal Mary Rohan addressed the gathering which was sponsored by the Catholic Primary School Managers Association.
Primary school funding
According to the Chief Inspector’s Report Government spending per pupil has fallen by 15% since 2010 and Ireland is now spending less per primary pupil than the EU or OECD average.
Another recent report by Grant Thornton stated that the Capitation Grant now covers an average of only 52 percent of the running cost of a school.
Last year parents and local communities paid at least €46m to support their local schools, which works out an average of €14,000 per primary school or €82 per primary school pupil.
The meeting stated that they would like the state to begin immediate restoration of the Capitation Grant in this year’s budget to €200.
They also recommend a guarantee a of phased increases to the capitation grant to match actual school running costs and that a minor works grant paid to schools every year as a non-discretionary payment by the government.
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