THE GOVERNMENT will come under Opposition pressure this week to double the capitation grant for primary school students from next September, following charges that some schools are in financial crisis.
The Labour Party's Private Members' Motion will be debated in the Dáil on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the opening speech to be made by the party's leader Eamon Gilmore.
Capitation grants are spent on a school's day-to-day running costs including heating, cleaning, lighting, maintenance of school premises and grounds, etc.
The first instalment of 70 per cent of the grant is paid on January 31st of the school year and the balance the following June, and the grant for each year is determined by the number of pupils on roll on September 30th.
Mr Gilmore yesterday said "urgent action was now essential to address the critical shortfall in funding facing many primary schools," who are faced with rising costs and a lack of Government funding. "Schools are expected to meet virtually all needs other than salaries from the capitation grant of just €173 which they receive for each pupil . . ."