Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Minister to set out his budgetary priorities for budget 2019. I am sure that much of the Department's preparatory work for the next budget is underway, if not completed at this stage. In particular, will the Minister be providing for an increase in capitation grants to primary and secondary schools given that the cost of running and maintaining schools has risen dramatically in recent years? School boards, particularly in schools where parents are less well off, are finding it extremely difficult to fund schools in the absence of significant increases in the capitation grant. I would also like to ask the Minister if he has been able to advance the proposals, with the apparent agreement of the Government, for pay restoration and pay equality, particularly for younger members of teaching staff.

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