Hanafin pledges to double funding for primary pupils

AMID claims by teachers that primary schools are struggling to fund basicessentials such as heating, the Education Minister has promised to double funding per child — if her party is returned to power.

With the election just weeks away, Mary Hanafin said, if elected, it was Fianna Fáil policy to double funding from €163.50 per year per child to €327 per head for primary school children.

The increased funding will see the €83 million annual cost for the capitation grant double. This will put it on a par with funding for secondary students, though her office admitted that funding for secondary students will also be hiked.