Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We need serious public investment in this sector and Sinn Féin is committed to carrying out such investment. The debate is changing and it needs to be presented clearly. Neoliberal right-wing politics has failed and bankrupted this country. While we on the left argue for progressive taxation to fund public services which will be universal for everyone, the parties on the right argue for cuts in taxes and further privatisation of essential services. Sinn Féin has published its alternative budget and in that document is our vision for the education system. This includes a total capital and current expenditure investment of €480 million. That would see a complete restoration of guidance counselling hours. It would also see an increase in resource teaching hours, the creation of 1,000 additional apprenticeship places. It would provide a €10 million fund for the replacement of prefabs and €30 million for investment in Wi-Fi networks for schools. That is our vision for our education system.

Next week, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil will publish their budget which will contain their vision for the education system.In that budget will be their vision for the education system. We do not yet know exactly what the specifics of that budget will be. However, we are all too familiar with the ideology on which it will be based and, therefore, we all understand that there will be no significant reform. What this country needs to do is get serious about public investment across the entire public sector, with education being a priority service. In our alternative budget, one can see that Sinn Féin is committed to such a vision.