P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I commend the Labour Party on tabling this important motion. I am here to represent some of my constituents who do not have a vote at present but will have in a few year's time: the primary school children of Cork South-West. Primary school children are supposed to have had free education since before the foundation of the State but, as far as I can ascertain, every primary school in my constituency is engaged in fundraising to provide for essential educational needs.

I wrote to the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, two weeks ago, following representations from the board of management of St. Finbar's national school, Seskin, Bantry. I was informed by its representatives that, despite fundraising, the school was in a serious financial predicament and that the only logical solution to the problem was a massive increase in capitation grants. This year the school faces a shortfall of €30,000. How is a school in Bantry to raise such moneys? The parents want to provide the best for their children, as do all good parents.

This is only one example but the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy Haughey, knows the situation is the same in nearly every primary school in my constituency and every other constituency. There will be nobody to serve on boards of management if they find themselves in greater debt with further fundraising needed. I ask the Minister of State to make a special effort on behalf of all children of the nation to significantly raise the capitation grant for primary schools because we are failing in our duty as public representatives if we cannot look after our children who represent the future.

The Government's amendment to the motion refers to "improvements announced in the last budget which taken together mean that primary schools are getting €330 per pupil this year to meet their day-to-day running costs — €21 more than they received in 2007". Is the Minister of State aware that the figure of €21 referred to translates to 10 cent per school day? That would not buy a lollipop for a child and I wonder who the Minister of State and the Government are trying to fool. The amendment also states the Government "supports the commitments in the five-year programme for Government to increase day-to-day funding for our schools in real terms and double the capitation grant for primary schools by 2012". That is only three or four years away. Why not give a decent injection in capitation grants this year, or will the promise of an increase in grants in 2012 be the platform for Fianna Fáil in the next general election?

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