Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I support the call for a debate on education in which I ask the Minister to address one aspect, namely, the change in the allocation of pupil-teacher ratios in private secondary schools. It seems to me that this is establishing a differential for which the reasons are not given nor the policy explained. Is the Government setting itself against private education? These private secondary schools, such as St. Andrew's, Blackrock College or CBC Monkstown in my area, invariably take on board themselves the capital investment required to upgrade their schools. This relieves the State of so much expenditure that the case has not been made for this differential which, presumably, is the thin end of the wedge in that this Government is setting itself a course against private education. What is the reason for this discrimination and what will be the effects on the schools concerned? Is it the intention of the Minister to pursue a policy of discriminating further against private education in this regard? It is either forcing an increase in fees in these schools or it is giving rise to a drop in the quality of the education which will be available.

There are many misconceptions about private education. I refer to a survey in The Irish Times of August this year which showed that many families are prepared to go into debt to fund their children's education. I ask that the Minister would address this specific issue of private education and the discrimination which has been introduced in the budget in that regard.