Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not disagree with anything the Deputy has said in terms of the importance of supporting schools and ensuring they are free. We have already had this discussion earlier today in terms of access to education and it being free. I already highlighted the supports we provide. These include, free school books, reduced school transport costs, ensuring that there is no payment for junior or leaving certificate examinations, the increased supports to DEIS at around €180 million and the rolling out of the hot school meals. So many different aspects are being provided for. Specifically in terms of the running of the schools, we have increased the capitation so it is now €200 at primary and €345 at post-primary. We have ensured that there was an additional €60 million to support schools, €40 million of which was just paid out this year. In terms of leadership, the Deputy referred to building and all the demands there. We have also worked with supporting patron bodies to put in specific managers and make them available. Costs are being incurred by the Department for that. Equally, we are working with management bodies to ensure that level of support, costed and provided for by the Department, is available to schools on the ground.

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