€142m education package from Greens

The Green Party will propose the doubling of the capitation grant for schoolchildren if it forms part of the next government, its spokesman on education has said.

Paul Gogarty TD announced a €142 million package for education, including an increase in the capitation grant for primary schools from €163.58 to €325 per pupil at an estimated cost of €74 million.

The package includes an increase in the computer grant for primary and secondary schools from €46 to €100 per pupil and a VAT exemption on all expenditure arising out of fund-raising and voluntary donations in primary and second-level schools.

It also includes the introduction of service-level agreements with patron bodies to manage all new schools, and new regional education structures to target and plan investment more effectively.

Mr Gogarty said the proposals, which form part of the party's "50 Steps to a Better Education System", were radical, realistic and fully costed.

"Our education system needs to make a quantum leap in terms of funding, and this package of measures goes a long way towards helping schools provide an enhanced educational experience for all our young people.

"I would ask all organisations within the education sector to redouble their efforts to get tangible agreements from parties, including Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour, to ensure that they too will commit to significant increased targeted investment in our education system."

He said the Green Party was setting the agenda on education, and would be driving a hard bargain. "We can't say this is an issue we won't go into government on. We couldn't expect to have all our policies accepted if we are returned with six seats, but if we are returned with 10 or 12 it will be a different situation."