Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. If I might respond to his invitation, I draw his attention to an area which needs examination. On one of the radio programmes yesterday, there was an animated discussion about the home economics textbook for post-primary for the coming year and the fact a new textbook was produced. A number of parents were certainly exercised about it and, at a minimum, it bears examination to see where the facts of the matter lie.

I exhort the Minister of State to ensure the Department and the Minister keep an eye on what is a vital area. There are many parents for whom, because of mortgage demands and personal commitments here and there, the cost of schoolbooks is a significant burden at a particular time of the year. Of course, it is not easy to spread it out over the years. Clearly, the number of initiatives that have been brought forward will help in their own way to alleviate the matter. We need to do everything possible to alleviate the financial pressure on hard-pressed families to ensure the best education is available for their young people.

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