Mr. Sean McMahon:

The Chairman asked what is the INTO's perspective on the support now being made available to schools already in the scheme, and of course we welcome it. I merely pointed out that this support is €9 for each of two years, which amounts to €18, for schools already involved. Schools not involved will receive considerable funding. The word "amalgamation" has been used on a number of occasions. The documentation pertinent to amalgamation dates from 1976, and even at that point in time there was an agreement between the INTO and the Catholic Primary School Managers' Association, CPSMA. The INTO, as do some of the managerial authorities, continues to call for a new set of protocols and circulars on amalgamation, and as recently as last week we had a meeting with the Minister. I agree there are certainly avenues to be pursued in this regard.