Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I take the Minister's point that his Department does not carry out surveys to investigate the funding position of primary schools but does he accept that a funding crisis exists for primary schools across the country? A survey carried out the end of last year by the Catholic Primary School Management Association, CPMSA, which represents more than 90% of primary schools, found that half of those surveyed ran a deficit during the previous year.

The funding crisis is the outcome of measures the Minister introduced since taking up office. We no longer have the summer works scheme on which many schools depended and the capitation fee and minor works grants have also had a particular impact. Last week, I visited a school with 70 students which depended on an annual minor works grant of €7,000.

The Minister's decision to withdraw the minor works grant means it must find an additional €100 per student each year. Families with two or three pupils in the school must find an extra €200 or €300 per annum. It is time the Minister recognised the impact of the measures he is taking. I call on him to reintroduce the minor works grant this year.

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