The Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, has announced a range of increased supports for school management bodies and for newly established schools.
Included in the package of measures is an increase from €40,000 to €120,000 in the grant paid to the two management bodies supporting Educate Together and Church of Ireland schools.
The Catholic Primary School Management Association, which supports the majority of primary schools, is also having its grant increased from €102,000 to €152,000.
A training grant for new primary schools will also be initiated.
Two €5,000 instalments will be paid to the boards of management of newly establishing schools for training of the board and staff in their initial years.
Schools which were established in the 2004/2005 school year and which are still in operation will be eligible.
New schools will also be allowed to appoint their principal in advance of their first school year to assist in the preparation for their first year of operation.
'I am confident that the enhanced level of funding for school management organisations will enable them to provide support to their existing and newly establishing schools,' said Minister Hanafin.
