Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)

Gabhaim comhghairdeas don bheirt Aire, is mór an onóir é dóibh ach is mór an dúshlán é freisin. There has been a serious lack of investment by the State in education in recent years. Out of 31 OECD countries, Ireland is fifth from the bottom, with a below average investment. We cannot build a knowledge economy if we rip funds out of the education system. It is ominous and disheartening that the buzzword during the election was "change", yet ministerial statements seem often to be prefaced with an indication that decisions by the last Government will not be revisited. That is an incongruous position.

There is a large number of schools in Meath, both primary and secondary, that are operating in premises that were built at the start of the last century. Children are trying to learn in cramped conditions with poor heating. There are four secondary schools in Navan-----

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