Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. Unlike the previous question, the Minister will not find any criticism from this quarter. As I said, I spent 15 years teaching. It is one thing that puts parents, families and schools under pressure, particularly during the summertime. It is a welcome initiative. I am glad the Minister has specified that it can be used for not just textbooks but copybooks and other stationery that may be required too. I know the Minister referred to the fact that parents should not be asked for contributions towards this but already a debate is raging about whether, if there is a shortfall, schools will come back looking for that gap to be filled. Will the Minister reiterate what she mentioned about how parents should not be asked to make any contribution? Will she clarify whether additional classes, such as one-on-one resource classes, ASD classes, and so on, which require additional textbooks, copybooks or workbooks can avail of that additional facility under the scheme?

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