Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom cúpla focail a rá ar dtús faoi na mbunscoileanna uilig atá ar fud na tíre agus an tola maoiniú atá de dhíth orthu. I have raised the issue of funding of primary school education several times. A report issued yesterday shows that parents in this country are contributing €46 million per annum to the funding of primary education. I am sure that comes as no surprise to the parents of this country or to primary school principals or teachers. This needs to be addressed. Capitation grants go some way towards the cost of running our schools, but unfortunately the current capitation grant does not go halfway to accounting for the costs that it normally would meet, such as insurance, lighting, heating and other basic items. It is regrettable that school principals and teachers are preoccupied with fundraising measures rather than concentrating on the job they are qualified to do, teaching our children. By extension, it is unfair to the children and to their parents. The children lose valuable teaching time because the teachers are preoccupied with making sure the school continues to run. The Minister for Education and Skills needs to come to the House to advise us on what moves he has in place to address this issue. School principals have said that it is critical to the future running of the schools. I compliment the parents of the country on all their hard work in fundraising activities, be it cake sales, 5 km walks or runs. I earnestly request that the Leader bring this information to the Minister so that he would consider restoring the capitation grant to a level that will ensure the schools can run and that parents and teachers do not have to worry about raising funds to make sure they stay open.