Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I applaud works that have been done in the past on that scheme because it has been money well spent. It was like spending pennies and gaining pounds. In fixing a leaking roof, for example, one did not end up with damp or seeping walls which would ensue otherwise. It makes sense to spend a small amount of money in order to save a huge amount.

During my research for this debate one of the school principals to whom I spoke suggested it would be good if a means could be found to ensure that schools would not have to pay water charges or VAT. It is extraordinary that schools must pay water charges to a local authority. That puts them on the same basis as a business or commercial entity. If a way could be found to deal with that, it would make a huge difference as the water charges must be paid from the capitation grant. Insurance costs are another problem.

The other issue high on the agenda of the principals to whom I spoke was the problem of form filling and the amount of time they spend on book work. There is also the issue of audits. In one case an audit was to be carried out but the inspector rang at the last minute to say he or she could not come. As the Minister can imagine, the school was under huge pressure getting organised for the audit only to have the meeting cancelled at the last minute. I do not know whether the cancellation was due to over-work or inefficiency. Now the school is back to square one, having to get itself organised again. It is a huge amount of work for a school principal.

Another problem is the rising cost of electricity and gas. There has been no provision in the capitation grants for that. Principals are trying to make ends meet with the same amount of money they had last year, before these increases occurred. Perhaps the Minister could examine ways of dealing with electricity and water charges and consider exempting schools from VAT in order that principals can get proper use of the capitation grant.