Mr. Gerry Bennett:

It would seem - the ESRI has pointed this out - that there was a historical situation in the past whereby, for various reasons, VECs were given additional funding to provide certain types of education. However, in terms of what schools are providing, the educational sector is similar across the country now. Why then should we continue to provide increased funding to two sections of the community but not provide it at all to the other? We are finding that our schools are under more and more pressure, yet 58% of students attend these schools.

We want it put on the agenda of this committee that this is not something small. This is a strategic and structural issue. It is about the future of education in Ireland and the future of trusteeship in Ireland. It is a big question and we would like it to be put on the agenda and taken seriously. If the committee wants to meet us again to discuss and go through the issue, or if it wants us to meet a small sub-committee, we would be willing to do that, as we feel this is so important.