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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 May 1971

Vol. 254 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Secondary Education.

29.

asked the Minister for Education if he will state in respect of secondary schools which have opted into the free education scheme operated by his Department the average fee per pupil charged in the year 1966-67.

The average day school fee charged in session 1966-67 in secondary schools which opted into the free education scheme amounted to £13.00 per annum.

Would the Minister not agree that given the very considerable increase in the cost of living and depreciation in money values since 1966-67, even though he is able to quote this average figure of £13 per annum, would he not agree that the figure of £25 which he pays under the so-called free education scheme is no longer relevant to money values?

Of course, the Deputy is aware that under the free education scheme the average fee is practically doubled.

The Minister has not answered my question. The Minister is a master of averages, if I may say so, but he is very bad at answering specifics.

It is rather peculiar if I am a master of averages that the question I am asked here is if I would give the average fee per pupil charged.

That was the supplementary asked.

Does the Minister really think that £25 per year to a Dublin school, for example, is still a realistic figure to which the term "free education" can meaningfully be applied in 1971 in terms of depreciation of money values since 1967?

I am satisfied, and particularly in relation to the figure I have just quoted.

Why are they seeking to raise money by other means? Will the Minister answer that?

He will not.

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