Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

In the announcement made by the Minister last week, the bulk of the money did not go to schools for minority religions. She should admit that point. There has been no change in Fine Gael policy. The Minister is in this House at Question Time to answer for Government policy but has avoided the questions I asked her. I want to clarify that there has been no change in Fine Gael policy. We have always supported the payment of teachers. I have asked the Minister where exactly she and the Government stand on that question because previously there certainly was talk of removing it. I ask again whether these schools are prepared to take all children from the catchment areas. The Minister stated something to the effect that there appears to be plenty of money available. How can the Minister explain that to the hundreds of schools which are still on the building programme with no end in sight and which do not have the capacity to generate an income by charging the parents of their students?

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