Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I am disappointed to see that the entire Government side has left the House, bar the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey. I cannot believe my eyes. Is this a measure of how much they are on the run? This motion is about the underfunding of primary education. It is great to see Government Senators coming into the Chamber now. I thank them for that.

The quality of education outcomes is related to investment in education, which repays 100-fold in the development of young children's fertile minds. Is there anything better than the magic of seeing children learn and think for themselves? This is related to investment in education. Senator Ross noted the low morale of teachers, particularly in primary schools. As a former primary teacher, I have seen that too. How could morale be high when a teacher must give lessons in the broom closet of a school in Moycullen?

I heard the Minister's figures, which he presented as if everything is okay but clearly it is not. He presented global figures, which sound big when spread across thousands of primary schools but it all comes down to individual schools. The average school is in debt to the tune of €23,000 after the capitation grant has been spent. We have had broken promises on capitation grants and lower pupil-teacher ratios.

The Minister said that over the period of the national development plan some €4.5 billion will be spent on school building infrastructure. I want to know how much of this we will get in next week's budget. My information is that grade three cuts — the most severe — are coming. The Minister made promises concerning investment strategy but they are only promises. I will, however, welcome any steps that are worthwhile. The Minister also said he will re-introduce the summer works scheme and I am delighted to hear that. We have accepted that it is a good scheme when it is operating. However, when will the scheme be reopened for the 1,000 schools on the 2007-08 list? Schools have contacted me about this matter. I am concerned because there have been too many broken promises and consequently too many disappointed parents. Ultimately the children are affected.

I welcome the Minister's decision to reinstate the minor works grant in 2008-09, but I am disappointed with the provision of ICT in schools. The Minister says he will talk to people in Intel, but I hope they will continue to be there. A case study of computers in Carnmore national school showed it has six laptops for 188 children, which is one computer per 31 pupils. They need ten more laptops and three smart-boards, costing a total of €20,000. The school is selling calendars to raise funds, but from where will the additional money come? The Minister of State's officials might direct me to the budget so that the school can get an extra €20,000.

The OECD's report entitled, "Education at a Glance" stated that in 1995 — when Fine Gael was in Government — some 5.2% of GDP was spent on education. In 2005, after seven years of Fianna Fáil-led Government, the figure had fallen to 4.6% of GDP. Despite the boom and an increasing population, the Government did not invest in the area that would provide the greatest future return.

Unfortunately the Government is always looking backwards, trying to defend what it has done. It should look forward and show its plans for the future. It could start by laying them out in next week's budget. We need to know how debt-ridden schools will be funded and how they will be made safe places for learning.