John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

Years of neglect have meant that some schools have inherent problems and have high heating bills and maintenance costs. It would be possible to run them more efficiently if other remedies were implemented, such as major improvements in the fabric of the buildings. A range of projects and issues need to be addressed. Doubling the capitation grant is a popular proposal but would not deliver a good return on the additional expenditure required from the Department's Vote.

Public representatives are contacted by schools seeking additional school buildings, classrooms, teachers and so forth. The motion ignores these issues and assumes all schools do not live within the financial constraints imposed on them.

See this speech in context