Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Capitation rates, as well as many other things, were reduced in the crisis years. We all share responsibility for those decisions. The problem now is that they have not been restored at a time when other things have been. Before we left office, we restored social welfare payments as best we could. There is a commitment in terms of pay. We negotiated pay restoration. The capitation grant is simply not a priority for the Government. That is clear. I acknowledge that it is only one of the issues which need to be addressed in order to make free education truly free. The back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance is also a factor and should be increased further. We should have a truly free book scheme in every school because, in truth, not only do we not have free education, we do not have equal education. The capacity of parents in some schools to make so-called voluntary contributions is infinitely greater than in others. Without making political points this time, the Taoiseach might say that this is a priority for the Government and that we will actually have free education in this country, as is supposed to be the case in accordance with the law.

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