Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Officials of my Department met representatives of the national congress of Catholic Secondary School Parent Associations, CPSA, last December. At that meeting it was agreed that CPSA would provide my Department with details of its vision for increasing the voice of parents at second level, the promotion of parents associations in schools and the level of support required to achieve those aims. My Department received a submission from CPSA in mid-January and is considering their proposals at present. Officials of my Department will be in touch in the near future with CPSA to arrange a further meeting on this issue.

In deciding on the issue of grant aiding, I must take account of the matter of value for money and the need to avoid unnecessary duplication. This is a particular concern when money is spent on research and administration. The Deputy will also be aware that a report on these matters, commissioned by my Department, emphasised the fact that many of the issues of concern to parents with children at second level are common across the different sectors. It is important, therefore, that any State funding should promote cohesion to the greatest degree possible as this will best serve to increase the voice of parents in education.