Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Acting Chairman for the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. Let me knock the current myth about spending on education and health and the hype from the Government on this matter. I challenge the waste of taxpayers' money by different Ministers. On the projected figures for spending on education let us have a reality check and look at the facts. We need investment in education. The OECD education indicators have shown that individuals and countries that invest in education and skills benefit economically and socially from that choice. At each level of education — pre, primary, secondary and tertiary — Irish spending per student is below that of the OECD average, most notably for primary and second-level schools.

Ireland's level of expenditure on education, whether expressed as a percentage of GDP or GNP, fell in the period 1995 to 2003. In spite of Ireland being one of the wealthiest countries, our expenditure on education at 5.2% of GNP in 2005 leaves us languishing in the bottom half of the OECD countries, ranking 24th out of 30 countries. Spending initiatives to combat educational disadvantage must be refocused to benefit children when they are young. Government reports emphasise the importance of early intervention to help tackle disadvantage but this does not apply to the funding initiatives. Only a fraction of disadvantage spending benefits primary school children. Spending on primary school and disadvantage initiatives amounts to €60 million compared to €300 million at third level. The result of this policy is that many children experience failure and drop out early because the Government refuses to provide adequate support where it is needed most. Disadvantaged children and those with special educational needs must be given priority.

Given that the Minister was positive a number of years ago I ask him to focus spending on services for adults with an intellectual disability. Some 1,906 people require a residential service, 1,877 require a respite service, 296 are on a waiting list for the services of St. Michael's House on Dublin's north side, 74% of whom are from the north side. To reduce the waiting list in St. Michael's House all that is needed is 70 places per year.

I raise these issues because it is important that the Minister and the Government focus on two priorities in the budget. I urge the Minister to focus on education, the poorer sections of society and children with disabilities. There is a need to fund children with disabilities particularly at second-level education because a gap is emerging. It is important that the Minister introduce a caring budget.

See this speech in context