asked the Minister for Education the date on which the increase in the capitation grant will become effective; and the amount of the revised grant.

17.

asked the Minister for Education the State contribution in 1980 towards the capitation grant for each pupil in primary schools; the local con-proposed for 1981; and the percentage increase involved.

18.

asked the Minister for Education the local contribution in 1980 towards the capitation grant for each pupil in primary schools; the local contribution proposed by him for 1981; and the percentage increase involved.

40.

asked the Minister for Education whether he has any proposals to increase the capitation grant at present paid to schools; and if he is aware of widespread concern among parents committees on the matter.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 to 18, inclusive, and No. 40 together.

It is proposed that a revised capitation grant of £13 per pupil per annum in ordinary national schools should be paid in respect of the school-year commencing 1 September 1980, subject to a local contribution of not less than £4 per pupil. The corresponding previous rates of grant per annum were £11 per pupil from the Department of Education and a local contribution of not less than £2.75 per pupil.

Up to the school year 1980-81 the practice has been to seek a local contribution of not more than 25 per cent of the State contribution in relation to the capitation grant. Do I now take it that the Minister is departing from this and that he is expecting more than 25 per cent from the local contributors?

The information in my reply answers the supplementary question.

Then the Minister is expecting more than 25 per cent?

I thought that the Deputy would congratulate me for raising it. I am delighted with the amount that I have raised. I have raised it from £6 to £13 since I took office.

Would the Minister not agree that the effect of raising the proportion accounted for by the local contribution is to make our allegedly free primary education system even less free than it is at the moment?

The Deputy is referring to our system of decentralised primary education, which is an excellent system.

It is supposed to be free and it is not anything of the sort.

Question No. 19.

I will allow Deputy Collins one final supplementary on Question No. 16.

May I take it that the principle of seeking a local contribution of not in excess of 25 per cent of the State contribution has now been put aside by the Minister and that from now on the Minister will seek a local contribution greater than 25 per cent of the State contribution?

Since I took office the amount disbursed by me in this year 1980-81——

Will the Minister answer my question?

—will be £7.75 million. I inherited a paltry budget of £3,200,000.