Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

The second school never got free meals. It is not equitable. The figures the Minister used are based on school statistics for 1995, 1996 and 1997, a long time ago. Of the schools excluded from the scheme, 25% are in Mayo. The figures for Dublin show that 38 schools applied and 26 were accepted, with 12 being refused. In Mayo, nine schools applied and only one was accepted. That is hardly equitable.

The Minister mentioned the home-school-community liaison person. That will be a shared role, the face will disappear from the school. The teacher in St. Muiredeach's will not be there anymore, it will be someone else whom the pupils and staff do not know. I ask the Minister to leave the situation as it is beyond 2007, that is the only fair way to move forward.

The Minister of State said during an Adjournment debate that where there was severe socioeconomic disadvantage and the situation had not been properly evaluated, a re-evaluation could take place. Is that the light at the end of the tunnel?

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