Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. This is a school I went to as a child. I spent all my primary years there. One of my teachers, Ms Bridget Clare, is here today for the debate. It is a very important school, and I urge the Minister of State to communicate to the Department the need for a year-on-year doubling of the capitation grant, and not just this interim investment. It helps and is welcome but there needs to be a long-term plan.The deputy principal in the junior side of the school teaches full time. There is no way for them to have access to an actual deputy principal. This is in a school where protection issues often come up and there are many highly complex needs. While we welcome what has been offered, I ask the Minister of State to ensure it is communicated very strongly that the capitation grant needs to be doubled for this school to be able to continue and to be able to give kids in Killinarden what they deserve in terms of their education so they can flourish.