Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

That is four times the rate of inflation, which is the critical issue, and a remarkable achievement by anyone's standards. The last time a Labour Minister occupied the seat the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, now occupies in 1997, the capitation grant stalled at £45 per child, less than a quarter of what we have today. On 17 April 1997 the then Minister, Deputy Breathnach, addressing the Dáil stated:

I am aware of some concerns among school management boards regarding the level of capitation grants in relation to current demands on school funds. I regret that due to the many competing demands on limited resources I am not in a position to increase the capitation grant payable for 1997.

That is what happened when the Labour Party last had control of this Department.

See this speech in context