Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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129. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of a policy paper recently launched by Barnardos calling for an additional €103 million in education funding to provide a truly free primary education system; and her plans to move towards a primary schools system where parents do not pay towards books or transport. [25737/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I am aware of the research referred to by the Deputy.

The Government's focus in recent years has been on stabilising the country's finances so as to ensure that funding could continue to be provided for the provision of essential services such as health, education and social protection. This is the best way of protecting and improving services. A key priority for funding at primary level is catering for our rising demographics so that every child has a school place.

I do recognise the need for further investment at primary level in particular to improve capitation funding to help schools with their day to day costs. In the last Budget, I was able to secure the first increase in education spending in recent years. I am determined to continue pressing the case for increased investment in education in the forthcoming budget.