Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome some of the positive aspects in budget 2017 on education, such as the increase for resource teachers and special needs assistants. One serious obstacle, however, is the rising costs for parents of sending their children to school. The Bill calls for a multiannual increase to school capitation rates and I support this as it could put a stop to the need for voluntary contributions from parents. Anyone who is a parent will know exactly what this contribution is. Voluntary contributions are often a minimum spend of €150 per child, a significant amount of money that many families simply do not have and which pushes many over the poverty line. This Government has not committed to tackling the high costs associated with sending children to school. Many families struggle to meet the basic costs and the notion of a free education system is a myth.

There is no consistency in respect of voluntary contributions. In Kilkenny in my own constituency, the range goes from €100 to €160 per child at primary school level. We cannot blame schools for this - it is due to the cuts in capitation rates over the past number of years. Schools have to bridge this gap but they are using the money for basic things such as heat and electricity. It is crazy in this day and age that we have to ask for the necessities our children need on a daily basis. They should be funded completely by the State and pressure should not be put on schools and teachers to come up with this money. This puts pressure on parents and families who are often already struggling. On top of the voluntary contribution there are school books, uniforms, transport and all the other school supplies. It rises every year and it needs to be tackled.

All levels of education are important in a child's life, but primary education is crucial for a child's development. If their stability is already being challenged at such an early stage, this will inevitably have a knock-on effect for their later educational prospects.

One of the proposals we put forward in our alternative budget was to increase capitation rates by 2%. This was seen as a first measure, but it would go some way towards deal with the problem of these voluntary contributions and the notes that constantly come home for €5, €10 or €20 for this and that. I do not blame the schools or the teachers - it is not their fault. They are left with no choice. In order to run the school, they need the money, but it puts a lot of pressure on parents and families. It is very difficult for some parents to explain to their children that they do not have the money and they have to be the one sent into school without it. It is not good, particularly at primary level which is so important for children. I support that aspect of the motion.

As my colleague stated, we have tabled an amendment and I urge Deputies to support that also.

See this speech in context