Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)

So it is Julie's fault, not mine.

Free primary education is guaranteed under Article 42.4 of the Constitution. Today, in my constituency of Cork North-Central and across Ireland, it is anything but free. A coalition of every majority education body, school managers, principals, teachers and staff has written to the Minister for education and the Government to say that schools are now in financial crisis. The facts are stark. An analysis of 707 schools shows that heating costs have gone up 83% since 2019. Water and refuse bills are up 51%. Utility costs have nearly doubled in expenditure from 3.3% to 6.1%. Accounting and auditing costs have gone up 58%. School management systems have gone up by a staggering 199%. This seems outrageous. The average primary school now faces a €17,000 deficit on day-to-day running costs. This is not weekly, but daily.

The Minister and his Government have increased the basic capitation grant to €224 per pupil this September but principals say the real costs of running a school are far closer to €300 per pupil. This is why this coalition of educators calling for an immediate increase to at least €299 has come together. It is also looking for supports for ICT, minor works and ancillary services. In schools in Glanmire, Ballyvolane, Mayfield, Knocknaheeny, Ballincollig, Mallow and Blarney in my constituency, and I sure across the Minister's constituency too, we have people raising funds not for extras but for essentials. They are raising funds to keep the lights and the heating on and to cover cleaning costs. Cash-strapped parents are running raffles and bake sales and are being asked for large voluntary contributions while inflation eats away at their pay packets. To my mind, that is not free education; it is a breach of the Constitution. Will the Minister commit to raise the capitation grant to €299 per child in the forthcoming budget, thereby ensuring that principals can focus on teaching instead of begging families to keep their classrooms open?

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