Mr. David Duffy:

On the building costs, inflation is a significant problem and is no doubt a problem for our colleagues in the Department of Education and Skills. I made reference to remote areas because there is a particular issue there. Not only do buildings, materials and so on often cost more in remote areas, but a new build in a remote area must also often be connected with existing public infrastructure, which means additional money and time factors.

In terms of the voluntary secondary schools, it is an area I do not want to get into today. We do not want to pick out one particular area and say it needs funding. I am sure everyone will agree that the entire education system could do with additional investment. The return on investment in education is not just dramatic in terms of tax revenues later on and reduced social welfare costs. International and Irish studies also state that lower crime rates are a consequence of greater education spending as well as improved statistics around health. That is very significant.

The ETB schools and in some cases community and comprehensive schools are more likely to have a greater proportion of students with special needs, as we know from plenty of Irish studies. They are also more likely to be located in designated disadvantaged areas and to offer a greater range of practical subjects, which are more expensive to provide. I am not sure it is a straightforward issue.