Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

Mr. Seán Cottrell of the Irish Primary Principals Network said that robbing Peter to pay Paul was the philosophy behind last night's announcement by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, on disadvantaged schools. Will the Leader arrange a debate on this particular issue? I welcome the fact the Minister will retain 235 teachers in the DEIS scheme. However, the line is that €5 will be taken off the capitation grant per pupil to all national schools on top of an already €7 per head reduction from €190 to €183. This means from January it stands at €178 per pupil. That is quite a reduction when one considers the grant was originally over €200, particularly when costs are rising. For instance, an average school could use between €7,000 and €10,000 in heating oil every year with a VAT charge of 13.5% on it that goes back to the Government. I accept it depends on school size, the use of the heating system and how efficient it is. On top of this, other costs are incurred such as electricity, refuse collection and maintenance which will not be covered by the reduction in the capitation grant proposed in the budget.

It now has reached the stage one cannot bring the sod of turf to school now as was done in the past.