I wish to ask the Minister about capitation rates in the context of page 90 of the programme for Government, which contains a commitment to "set out capitation rates to schools on a rolling 3-year basis". I recently visited two DEIS schools in my local area, both of which have just over 200 pupils and therefore receive annual capitation fees of approximately €35,000. This is the only funding that is available for each school's operational budget, from which the cost of lighting, heating, insurance and cleaning, etc., has to be deducted. As both of these DEIS schools are located in areas of significant economic disadvantage, they do not have the capacity to raise funds to meet the significant deficits at which they are running. Will the Government, in the context of the three-year rolling capitation fee it intends to set out, review the adequacy of the capitation fee, particularly in DEIS schools? Will it consider an enhanced fee for such schools?

The programme for Government and the confidence and supply agreement both contain a commitment to provide additional capitation funding. When this Government was examining its priorities during the preparation of its first two budgets, it prioritised reducing the pupil-teacher ratio, enhancing the DEIS scheme, expanding the number of schools involved in the scheme and providing support to children with special educational needs. We have put almost 6,000 additional teachers into the system. We have been seeking to meet the most urgent needs. I fully recognise the pressure that schools are experiencing for reasons of capitation. We will assess this matter as we approach the 2019 budget.