Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Schools are at absolute breaking point financially. Having spoken to a number of principals in recent days, I have come to the understanding that schools are unable to continue providing an education because they do not have the funds to operate. One principal informed me that the Department of Education and the financial support services unit, FSSU, have told schools to take money out of their hot meals account to pay their bills. That is absolutely outrageous. In other instances, the Department has advised schools to set up a payment plan to pay for heating and lighting costs. That payment plan can only last for one month. A principal of one school outlined how the heating is being turned off and students are being asked to put on their coats.

Another principal told me the school had to use the grant it received in January for maths equipment to pay for lighting and heating costs. This has a knock-on effect for the upcoming academic year. Summer capitation grants could be used for equipment and minor works, as the Minister knows, for the academic year to come but the backlog of bills and invoices are actually being paid for with this capitation grant. We are in a situation now where schools are robbing Peter to pay Paul in the context of this capital grant.

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