Mr. Caoimhín Ó hEaghra:

We have an ongoing conversation with schools on taking a leadership role, issuing guidelines on uniforms, teachers' presents and so on. We must consider that the management of these schools is being carried out and conducted by volunteers. The school system is based on the goodwill of the boards of management around the country, which is a substantial saving for Government. We are putting an onus on the boards of management to adhere to guidelines, procedures and EU competition law and so on. They all buy into the cost savings and reducing the costs on parents. They want to run the schools as best they can.

They need assistance. I accept there are several initiatives but a concerted effort on cost reduction support is required. I refer to implementation support at school level for the points made by Senator Jim D’Arcy. Currently, schools are engulfed with issues ranging from child protection to new curriculum implementation. Trying to reduce costs is another issue. Many issues arise in both rural and urban schools. Sometimes it is necessary to have someone to come into the school and say, for example, that if one takes out every second bulb it will save €1,000 or that one should go to the national procurement website.

School principals receive a multiplicity of correspondence daily by e-mail, letter and also from speaking to parents. It is not easy to absorb all of the information and to co-ordinate it. That must also be taken into consideration in what we are trying to do. If we are to reduce costs we must provide assistance to school boards on how to do it. Reference was made to centralised bulk buying and the cost savings that would ensue. We should bear in mind that those on school boards are volunteers. Board members, teachers and principals bring all the goodwill in the world to their approach but consideration must be given to providing assistance to them.