Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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I thank the witnesses for attending to discuss this issue. The premise is that we want to come up with solutions and work together. This is not a finger-pointing exercise but a collaborative approach to finding solutions. The suggestions made have been practical and positive.

On the issue of books, DEIS primary schools receive €21 per student and non-DEIS schools receive €11 per student. Some 25% of schools are not running book rental schemes. Can the patron bodies give me an indication of why that is the case?

I am interested to hear about the Educate Together policy of no uniforms in schools. Do other patron bodies provide direction, make suggestions or have policies on the issue of crested jumpers, jackets and tracksuits? Has a policy framework been devised to encourage and direct schools in respect of uniform policy, as Educate Together has done? I am a former school principal and I am a believer in school uniforms for various reasons.

They reduce peer pressure. My personal opinion is that there is also a health and safety aspect to the wearing of uniforms. As has been outlined, some parents must go to a particular store to buy a designated jumper. That puts a cost on the uniform, which is not necessarily fair in any circumstance, particularly not in the current circumstances.

On the question of voluntary contribution, everybody present admits that schools are, and always have been, chronically underfunded. I do not believe anybody will deny that. The manner in which voluntary contributions are collected is the issue. If somebody has the means and wants to contribute to the school and wants to contribute to a fund-raiser, be it that we should not be required to have fund-raisers, that is all very well, but there have been suggestions and indications given to public representatives that schools are being quite aggressive in targeting certain students and parents telling them they have not returned their "voluntary contribution". Will the patron bodies give a direction to the schools as to how that should be done properly?

It may sound silly to raise the issue of Christmas presents. Every year it comes up it is suggested to parents to give a present to teacher. Can we give directions to our schools to stamp out that unnecessary practice? There are the small little pressures that come up every year or at the end of year.

The witnesses have made very practical suggestions on public procurement and workbooks, on capitation payment at the end of August and September and on bulk buying. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien made a suggestion in regard to VAT on energy consumption and I believe that is an issue we can work on.

We have benefited from this conversation and I appreciate the contributions.