Rónán Mullen (Independent)

A great deal is said, and rightly so, about the importance of education and of investment therein, particularly in the context of the future of the economy and the well-being of citizens. People will, therefore, welcome the emergence of the new post-primary education forum, part of the brief of which is to lobby for increased funding for second level education. I am seeking a debate on this matter because second level education is underfunded. Only four other OECD countries have higher pupil-teacher ratios than Ireland. According to the post-primary education forum, the average school with 500 pupils has nine fewer teachers than its counterparts in other European countries.

This should not continue and it should be dealt with on the floor of the House. Not only is there a need for equalisation of funding between second level education and other sectors, there is also a need for equalisation for funding within the second level sector between voluntary secondary schools which are underfunded in terms of capitation and other voluntary and community schools. It is interesting to note that ten years ago the Government stated funding mechanisms would be developed to ensure all non-fee-paying second level schools would be funded on an equitable and transparent basis and this remains to happen.