Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

This is occurring all over the country and parents are being put under pressure because the State is not doing its job in terms of giving the capitation required.

Regarding band one of the delivering equality of opportunity in schools, DEIS, scheme, which relates to schools in the most disadvantaged areas, will the Minister consider giving additional support to such schools? I recently visited four national schools in disadvantaged areas of my constituency that for the past three years have had an annualised debt problem. These schools have serious problems relating to security and providing resources. I request that the Minister examine again the issues facing the most disadvantaged schools in the country.

Will the Minister comment on a commitment given in the programme for Government to double capitation over the next five years? Why should it take five years? Can the Minister not get on with it in the next two years? This funding should be front-loaded as it is required to meet the escalating costs of running schools.

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