Mr. Don Myers:

Parents had a wider choice of where to send their child to school 15 or 20 years ago because it was easier to enrol. Today parents look for a school which sets out the child's career. The difference in funding of various types of secondary schools is crazy. Voluntary secondary schools are funded €90 per pupil less each year then a comparative community or comprehensive school and €212 less than a VEC school. This is a tiered system which should be examined. A better funded school can offer better resources. I commented on a particular school seeking €50 for a book rental scheme and €50 for a school contribution. I spoke to a single mother who sends her child to a different school in the same town who must pay €200 for a uniform and €250 for books for first year. This is the difference between two schools in the one town. We need to examine this at the top level also to see where we can equalise it. The single mother I spoke to is quite entitled to get the same for her child as the child who pays €50 for books and €50 for a school contribution.