Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

By increasing the education budget by just 1%, primary schools around the country could be put on a sound financial footing and parents, principals and teachers could concentrate on children learning. If parents wanted to fund-raise, it would be for extras, not necessities.

I am proud of what our teachers, boards of management, principals and parents are doing for children in the primary school education system. Some of the best and brightest in Ireland work in primary education. They deserve to be able to give our children the best and I am proud to commend this motion to the House on behalf of the Labour Party.

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