Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have to leave at some stage but I hope we get through everything before that. I thank the witnesses for their presentations, all of which I read carefully.

This is a subject which is particularly close to my heart. We spoke at length about the costs for parents, and the fact that the schools are underfunded, which passes the costs to parents. In the case of primary-level children, the amount of money they are paying for school is unconstitutional, given that education is supposed to be free. We have discussed the pressures, but I would like to give a picture of what impact it actually has on people's lives, especially for lone parents.

Mr. Farrell and others have referred to loan sharks. In the case of Provident Financial, for example, the interest rate is between 35% and 40%.