This article is from page 4 of the 2013-01-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
CLARE schools are to “feel the squeeze” of reduced capitation grants announced as part of the budget, a meeting has heard.
At their monthly meeting in Ennis last week, members of Clare VEC discussed the likely impact of education cuts in Clare.
In a report to members, the Chief Executive Officer, George O’Callaghan, stated that the 2013 allocation to the VECs will be reduced by € 13.2 million.
“Notwithstanding the reduction there will be no reduction in the level of services provided in 2013. However VECs will be required to manage within their existing cash reserves on hand.”
Mr O’Callaghan told the meeting that there would be no changes to the overall teacher numbers or funding for Delivering Equality of Opportunity in School (DEIS). He said the number of resource teachers and special needs assistants have been maintained at 2012 levels.
Former Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Peter Considine (FF), told the meeting that the policy represented a cut. He said, “The numbers are being reduced and are being reduced substantially.”
Pupil teacher ratios for post leaving cert programmes will be harmonised with mainstream schools from 17:1 to 19:1.
Mr O’Callaghan explained, “This will result in a reduction of 200 PLC teaching posts and a saving of € 4 million in 2013 rising to € 12 million in a full year. However there should be no adverse impact on the number of PLC places available.”
Capitation grants for primary schools will be reduced by 0.5 per cent for primary school and by 2 per cent for secondary schools.
The new standard capitation rates will be € 176 for primary and € 306 for post primary schools.
Mr O’Callaghan said the grants are a vital source of funding for schools.
He added, “As the year goes on. We will begin to feel the squeeze.”
Commenting on the cuts to guidance counsellors in last year’s budget, Mr O’Callaghan said this had a “major impact” on schools.
“It looked innocuous enough at the time but it had a big impact,” he added.
The meeting heard that student contribution will rise by € 250 in 2013, 2014, and 2015 to a maximum of € 3,000.
There will also be a 3 per cent reduction in the income thresholds used when calculating entitlement student grants in 2013.
Mr O’Callaghan explained, “Between 1997 and 2009, the income limits were increased by an average of 4.7 per cent each year, in line with average industrial earnings. However the income limits over the past three years have remained unchanged despite and estimated drop in the average industrial wage of approximately 7.9 per cent.