Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I join the Chairman in welcoming our guests and I thank them for their presentations. I also thank them for offering suggestions as to how the Government might take some action to assist in alleviating the problem that exists. There is an onus on the committee to take this matter up with the Minister directly and to ask that the Department take more decisive action to adopt some of the practical proposals put forward by our guests. What they are seeking has been sought in the past but, unfortunately, action has never been taken.

The presentations contained a number of common themes. The issue of schoolbooks was particularly prominent and was referred to by all our guests, especially in the context of cost. Two or three suggestions were put forward in the context of the banning of workbooks, a requirement for compulsory book rental schemes in all schools and more input on the part of parents. Reference was also made to the 23% rate of VAT which applies to e-books - this are being used on an increasing basis - but which does not apply in respect of printed versions. When commenting on the survey carried out by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Ms Deane stated that 64% of school uniforms must be purchased at specialist stores. That figure is remarkably high and it is not acceptable. This is a matter which the committee needs to pursue.

The key difficulty which arises relates to the fact that one quarter of students come from homes were no one is in employment and that half have parents who are either on low incomes or in receipt of social welfare payments. The main issue is that we have been reducing the supports provided to the families who are experiencing the greatest degree of financial pressure at present while increasing the demands on them at school level. Although we are focusing at this meeting on the reduced level of supports available, we must also consider the reason schools are placing more demands on parents. A study was carried by Amárach Research on behalf of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association, CPSMA, in respect of the funding crisis being experienced by schools. It emerged that as this crisis becomes more pronounced at school level, the onus is increasingly being placed on parents.

The back to education allowance has been cut significantly in the past two years, from €200 to €100 at primary level and from €305 to €200 at secondary level. This has placed real pressure on families who cannot find the money from elsewhere. In addition, the summer works scheme which was used by schools to carry out certain refurbishment projects has been discontinued. Last autumn, the minor works grant was also discontinued. Some schools managed to absorb this particular cut in funding, which was worth a minimum of €5,000 to each school. The grant in question would have fallen due for payment in the latter half of this year and a real funding crisis is going to emerge at primary level, in particular. As stated, the grant was worth €5,000 to each school. In a school with 50 students, families are going to be obliged to find an additional €100 each in order to make up the shortfall. In a school with 100 students, the shortfall per head will be €50. Who is going to pay this money? Again, the onus will be placed on families. That which I describe does not often garner the same type of prominence and coverage as direct cuts to the supports provided to families. There have been calls for voluntary contributions, etc., to be banned. However, they reason such contributions are requested is because the funding for schools is continually being squeezed. One way or another, the responsibility in this regard is always placed back on the shoulders of parents.

There is a need to ask the Department to reconsider the position regarding the supports it provides to schools and in respect of the impact cuts to funding are going to have on parents.

The suggestions made by the delegations today are worthwhile and we need to push them with the Department and the Minister.