Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. I note that some progress has been made and we welcome the reduction of one in the average class size, although in our budget submission we proposed a reduction of two. We have the second highest class sizes in the European Union, at an average of 25, with the European Union as a whole having an average class size of 20; therefore, there is more work to do. I also understand everything cannot be done in one year, but the capitation grant needs to cover the cost of running a school. We need to go further in that regard. While I do not expect the Minister to announce the budget today and know that he has to make the argument at the Cabinet table, I urge him to make it again this year and go a step further in providing for a reduction in class sizes. It is a work in progress and we need to push on. The Minister should also have another look at the minor works grants to see what could be done in that regard. I ask that the first two areas - capitation payments and class sizes - be prioritised. It would be very welcome to build on the progress which has been made.

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