Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The schools that have come into the free scheme have made the decision themselves. There are a relatively small number of fee-paying schools. It is not the case that choice is being entirely taken away. I hope all schools would have access to sport and music for students. We want to provide equality of opportunity for all children. That is why we have delivering equality of opportunity in schools, DEIS, for example, where we favour certain schools because they cater for children with disadvantaged backgrounds. I do not agree with Deputy Mathews, as I do not think the argument is as straightforward or simple as the one put forward by him.

I visited one of the schools that has come into the free scheme recently and the number of students has considerably increased. The school is now able to cater for a larger number of parents who wish to send their children to this school because now they do not have to pay fees any more and they can afford to send their children there when they could not afford to send them there previously.

Concern was also expressed about the admissions to school Bill. I intend to provide plenty of opportunity for discussion. I reassure Deputies I have not closed my mind on any issue.

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