Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is very positive news and I commend the Minister on her efforts to ensure that the scheme kicks in on 1 May. It is very welcome and I appreciate the clarification given tonight about a few aspects of it. Doing the sums, it is for the full 12 months for anyone who benefits. It is €1,680, which is a significant amount of money. It is very pertinent that it is happening now because many children are starting school at the age of five and doing the leaving certificate at the age of 18 and beyond whereas previously - certainly in my time - a lot of children might have started school at four so that is something that is relevant. On behalf of my constituents, I really appreciate the efforts made by the Minister and acknowledge the extra €21.6 million she found in the budget to ensure it kicks in on 1 May. It is one of these progressive things the Minister has achieved and I want to acknowledge it. It will be appreciated by people around the country because the year of the leaving certificate and the first year of college is a very expensive year for families so this money will be very useful.

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