Dr. Marie Griffin:

We would promote policy with the VEC schools, we would not direct them, no more than any other management body. At the start-up stage and in existing schools, we have the conversation with the parents and the local community. We always find that parents want a uniform because overall they find it cheaper than having to buy different sets of clothes over the school year. In terms of cost they would find it cheaper to have a uniform over the school year.

As a patron body we would promote book rental schemes and support schools in the start up phases of the rental scheme. Overall it is cheaper. We can, as a management body support schools as they start up and encourage them in that regard.

On the question of energy costs and other issues, we find that in all our schools we can effect significant savings in areas such as insurance through bulk procurement, also in print managed services and through using the national procurement service for energy and other costs. That has made significant savings for schools. These savings can be passed on to our primary schools as well.

Schools will face significant water charges in the future. While we would, in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills, be engaged in processes such as water harvesting in our new schools and a number of other features, the costs for primary school children will be significant. In many cases it is double taxation for parents. They are paying the charge at home and now they will be paying in at school.