Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not think the costs of going back to school are rising at all but parents are finding it more difficult to meet the costs. The cost of textbooks and school equipment for kids peaked a few years ago. The number of textbooks has been reduced and it should be cut further because there is an over-reliance on textbooks. The point made in the CPSMA submission would cut the cost of going back to school by between 25% and 50%. I say that because I followed those rules myself as a school principal and cut the cost of going back to school by 50%. With proper rigour it would be possible to do that.

I would not hold my breath, good as the proposal is for a VAT reduction. I am old enough to remember the campaign for VAT on hurleys and it got nowhere. I agree with Fr. O'Connell but we also must be careful about procurement in order that we do not affect local businesses too much. Even when we are talking about a new framework for printing, it could exclude 90% of local suppliers. We must be careful. I preferred the approach outlined by Ms Flynn of adopting a whole-school approach.