Parents want to ensure that their children get a good education. At the same time they want to ensure that their taxes are spent well by the Government. Recently I heard on "Today with Pat Kenny" an angry parent, from Meath, complaining that, on the Wednesday before the Nice referendum, the primary school his child attends will close for a teachers' training day and will close again on Friday to prepare for the referendum as the school is used for polling. Is this an effective use of taxpayers' money? Is the school or the Department effective in ensuring reduced disruption to children's education? People are angry because they have seen an extra 20% of their money spent this year, but the level of service has not increased by an equal amount. Then, when the Government gets its sums wrong and tries to correct the problem, it attacks the people who have paid most already – the taxpayer and the most vulnerable in society who may not be in a position to voice their opposition.