Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Prioritisation is an important issue. When the population increases, we will have more teachers. Generally, because of the significant growth the number of children going to primary schools in recent years, there is a need for additional teachers because of the pupil-teacher ratio. That is a matter of fact; that happens. What has not increased in recent years in any shape or form, however, is the capitation grant. The cost of living is affecting people. Many parents who have children going back to school face higher costs. These individuals are not entitled to the back-to-school allowance or anything like that. They face a higher cost than others in society. Priorities, therefore, have to be targeted and focused. It is clear from all the evidence given to the Oireachtas education committee in August that schools are the end of their tether and are running deficits. Parents are under particular pressure. It is embarrassing for them if they cannot pay. The children come back from school and say the principal is saying they have to pay the voluntary subscription. If we were honest about it, we would say it is not voluntary. There is great pressure on parents to cough up.

Along with an increase in the capitation grant there must be a restatement of the guidelines around that. Children are conscious of it. When I spoke to the mother concerned the children were in her presence as she told the story. It is a story many Deputies have heard. There must be an acknowledgement that the cost of living is a key issue and that giving tax cuts to the wealthy alone does not deal with it in a significant or substantive way.

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