Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I will share the time equally with Deputy Brady. Go raibh míle maith agat a Chathaoirligh. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a cuid ama a roinnt liom.

I congratulate the Labour Party on tabling this interesting motion because it affords us the opportunity to outline the wide range of improvements in financial resources that have been made available to primary schools in recent years. It is opportune to have a motion of this type before the House in the run up to the teacher conferences over Easter.

The Minister referred to the challenging economic circumstances we are now facing. Governments do not operate in a vacuum. Any Government the Labour Party was part of had to respond to the circumstances of the day. As the country faces more moderate economic growth now, Exchequer returns are also impacted. It is with this economic backdrop in mind that we must approach tonight's debate.

Parents, teachers, management bodies and the Department of Education and Science have always fought for more plentiful and better resources for our children. They are always striving to improve the support and resources available to students, and I commend them on that. As the parent of four young children in primary school I am conscious of the merits of their intentions but we must recognise that major improvements and progress has been made in recent years. As the Minister said, since Fianna Fáil came into office in 1997, capitation grants have increased by 212%.

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