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

Despite that, we continue to have one of the lowest levels of investment in education in the OECD.

I raised correspondence yesterday at a debate on the Estimates, and while I had not intended to raise it again today, it needs to be addressed. I am not going to mention the school because I do not think that would be fair on it, but I am going to read out part of the email. I ask the Minister to revert to the House with an update on how many schools are in this position. It states that in the current climate with the cost of living, schools such as the one in question are finding it harder and harder to find the money for basics such as light, heat and water. Capitation, it continues, simply does not cover the basic expenses it should, while the cleaning grant it received does not cover the hours required for a cleaner to adequately clean the school. The email states that the school can afford only four hours per day, which is insufficient to maintain a large building and the surrounding grounds. It feels as though it is being punished for not overspending on goods and services and that, at this stage, it would be a gesture of goodwill to retain that funding.

What the school is referring to is the unspent money from the Covid grants. How many schools are in this position? This school is being asked to repay €6,000. I acknowledge it is unspent funding, but will the Minister ascertain how many schools are in this position and work with them to see whether there is a way in which that goodwill gesture the principal asks for can be accommodated?

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