Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I will not use the words "alleviation" and "legacy post" for the Deputy. Deputies can take out their books at page one, if they wish.

The Government's protection for disadvantaged schools is underlined by the maintenance of €13 million of taxpayers' money in enhanced funding for DEIS schools. I hope that is clear. Some €2 million is provided to DEIS schools in funding for school books. I hope that is clear. There is €26 million investment in the home-school community liaison scheme. I hope that is clear. All these areas have been protected from cutbacks.

As I stated before the budget, the decisions the Government has had to make, across every Department, are unpalatable. It would be great to think about how the country should be run but if it had been run in a competent fashion we would not have this situation.

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