Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What we are doing is introducing fairly practical measures to establish compliance with these principles. We are also introducing a parent and student charter and we are giving parents more say in the decisions that schools make. We are trying to reach a situation whereby everyone feels it is in the interests of the school and the parent group to ensure that costs are kept to a minimum in order that parents do not have this additional burden. We have yet to work out the details of how we assess compliance, how we measure contribution and the impact on capitation but the principle that we need to bring down costs is broadly supported across the House.

In regard to book rental, we provide support to schools in respect of book rental schemes. Most schools operate a book rental scheme but we want to ensure that every school does so. We are introducing practical measures that will bring about change. This will take time to reach its full benefit but it is a move in the right direction. I welcome the Deputy's support. I will look at the Oireachtas report to see if contains any additional initiatives that we should be considering.

See this speech in context