Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the recent study undertaken by the ESRI on behalf of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment which states that 25% of third year secondary students take up grinds; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that students derive no advantage from such systems; her views on whether they undermine the teaching standards in secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28467/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the study to which the Deputy refers. While I respect the right of parents to make choices for their children's education, I do not believe that it should be necessary to pay for grinds. My focus is on supporting schools to provide a high quality of education that enables students to reach their full potential.