Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister's reply. I have raised this matter with the Minister previously but let us take a step back from Project Maths to before the child gets to that stage. The Minster has probably heard of the concern among primary teachers that the fundamentals of mathematics are being eroded all the time. Will the Minister consider the issue of the use of calculators in primary school sector in consultation with the NCCA? This is all before the child gets to the Project Maths stage. There is a temptation at primary level to take the lazy route if one has a calculator in one's hand. One may not understand what one is doing or one may not understand the fundamentals of the calculations one is expected to perform.

I echo the comments of Deputy Smith on the chopping and changing of text books. The sooner the publishers are brought in by the Department, the better, given the fact that families are struggling to try to put bread on the table. Textbooks are changing year in, year out and sometimes only one page and the front cover are being changed. This is of great concern to all of us.

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