Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is unacceptable. Thankfully, we are supposed to have turned the corner. The most important issue for any country is to start with the basics - namely, with education. We are all aware of the cuts that affected all schools throughout the country during the recession. We must get our priorities right and decide where are we going. Schools, especially the smaller ones, throughout the country are on their knees. They need the leg up that would be afforded by this scheme. A few months ago there was the question of whether funding would be provided for the minor works grant. This drip-feeding of information leaves schools in a very precarious position. The Department of Finance should be contacted and more money should be made available. This is win-win situation in some cases. Schools could be made more efficient and could be run on smaller budgets if matters were done right.

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