Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

Like previous speakers, I congratulate those who were successful in the appointments made yesterday, namely, the Taoiseach and the Ministers. I wish them all well. I also wish the future Ministers of State well. I have not had a chance to find out who they will be as I did not have an opportunity this morning to check the Data Protection Commissioner's website on which of their names probably appear at this stage.

I wish to raise the issue of the level of investment in secondary school education. The incoming president of one of the associations, Mr. Noel Merrick, complained last week that there is still a gap in funding between the various types of post-primary schools. The gap is estimated at €100 per pupil, despite promises made by Fianna Fáil at the time of the previous general election and promises given by the Green Party at the time of the drafting of the programme of Government that this equalisation would balance out. Only €10 per pupil is being given. Therefore, there is a gap in such funding. We desperately need to invest in secondary school education, in the funding of which there is shortfall of €60 million. Will the Leader invite the new Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to give Members his views on what he will do about this?