Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister spoke about the three-year pilot programme and that information on same is available on the Department's website. That information makes clear reference to classroom resources, which goes beyond schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks. It specifically mentions that the money is not for swimming lessons, for example.

Of the range of data compiled and correlated over the three years, what was done to take into account the rapidly rising costs associated with school utilities? As I stated earlier, ring binders have increased in price by 120% in the past two years. Did the Department take that into account? Did it take any future growth in expenditure into account? In terms of the €96 and possible shortfalls, the Minister said schools can go back to the Department but I have seen correspondence between the Department and a school, and the advice was that the school should seek support from St. Vincent de Paul or the Red Cross.

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