Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

Senators may have heard a report on "Morning Ireland" this morning on the difficulties experienced by those in new primary schools in regard to the start-up grant, which currently stands at €6,300. For example, in Adamstown in Lucan, which is a strategic development zone, a primary school was put in place as an emergency measure in July. I spoke to teachers in three of the schools in Adamstown and with those in the gaelscoil in the area and learned that they are experiencing great difficulty in setting up what is needed in the schools. The grant is inadequate in terms of the resources required for the curriculum. While the Minister for Education and Science was in the House recently, perhaps she might be invited back to address this matter. This grant has not been reviewed for some time. An emergency exists with the shortage of primary schools places. Another primary school will be needed in Lucan next September. In west Dublin and in north Dublin there is a crisis in terms of primary school places, but this is added to immeasurably by the difficulties posed by the level of this grant. It means that teachers have to do a great deal of photocopying and have to use the local library and go to Lidl to purchase musical instruments at a cost price. The insufficient funding places significant pressures on teachers who should be getting on with the core business of teaching. It also means it is very difficult for them to employ secretaries. Decisions need to be made to increase the grant. The Minister for Education and Science was in the House recently but I would be grateful if the Leader would take up this issue with her again. Reviewing the grant will ease the burden on many teachers in start-up primary schools around the country.

Senator Twomey, who cannot be here this morning, asked me to ask the Leader if he had heard from the Garda Commissioner on whether there will be prosecutions on foot of the Leas Cross nursing home inquiry.

I launched a report yesterday on violence against women entitled, "Women Overcoming Violent Experiences". It was produced by a voluntary women's group that provides superb support to women who suffer from domestic violence. Another report was published yesterday on the huge cost to the health service arising from domestic violence against women. We could discuss this in the House. The Government has invested more resources than ever in this area, but perhaps the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will consider funding local women's groups that provide a very personal service to women who find it difficult to leave violent circumstances and who must sometimes remain in them. Support for the relevant local organisations, in addition to the national ones, would be very welcome and helpful to those concerned and would prove very productive.