As I was saying last evening both sides of the House are very concerned about the problems of the voluntary schools and their financial problems. Indeed, had this scheme been introduced with some plan for the future, we would not have run into the problems we have experienced. Though it was a very laudable scheme at the time, it was not very well thought out. As a result, it has run into financial problems which we must face. We cannot turn our backs on anything, particularly in the line of education, because our future is dependent on it. Since the scheme was devised the intake in schools has been very high which I consider to be successful. We can only hope that it will continue. When the plan was devised this was not given thought. In Dublin the intake now in secondary schools is heartening, the religious bodies particularly have strained their resources to the limit. Indeed, it is a pity that they did not have the lobby they have now over the last couple of years. If they had, we might not now be experiencing such problems.
I have no doubt that when the Government examine this problem fully, money will be forthcoming. In my view it must be forthcoming. When plans are being drawn up I hope they will be for the future and not just for a year. I hope that all of the educational structures will be reviewed to make sure that these problems do not occur. We all accept that money is a scarce commodity today. We require money for housing, more money for health and more money for social welfare. We require money for all the services. It is important that no one sector of the community suffers as against another. This is why it is important that the educational field must be looked after and examined.
There were accusations from the other side of the House that we would be going back to the old scheme of elitism depriving the less well-off in our society of education. If we examine the Government's record since coming into power, the one thing we cannot be accused of is not looking after the less well-off section of our community. We are doing so to the extent that we are being subjected to the taunts of Left-wing, socialist takeovers and so on. We do not hear them talking about it now. In my view the Opposition need have no fear that the voluntary schools will be neglected. I am making a case that money must be forthcoming as soon as we can make it available. I appeal to the Minister to have it structured as soon as possible to allay the fears of the educationalists, the people who are involved, the people who could be running into trouble, and ensure that parents will have no need to worry about the operation of the scheme. We realise now—though we did not realise it when the scheme came into operation—that the whole curriculum must be widened; the general attitude towards education must be broader, which, of course, costs more. When one examines the overall cost one finds it has risen considerably. It is our duty now to grasp the nettle and ensure that our children will not be deprived of education in any way.
I spoke last evening of the whole educational system needing restructuring. Indeed, it does right from the kindergarten level to an age of eight or nine and, from there on, up to 15 or 16 years, the school-leaving age. That should be classified another sector of education. Then there is the secondary and technological sector with, finally, the third level. The situation obtaining at present militates against many people. When money is being made available and when the Minister is looking at the whole aspect of financing, I would ask him to examine it in the broad spectrum, particularly at the low level where the voice of the people might not be as loud as in other areas of education, the people who are deprived, who come from deprived homes and whose parents are not interested generally whether or not they are educated. We have a moral obligation to ensure that every facility, amenity and aid is provided for this sector. It will cost money but when we spend money on this type of education it will have the effect of giving people in that bracket a greater desire for higher education.
It would also tend to cut down the juvenile delinquency which we have in our society as a result of children being deprived. There is a challenge here to educationalists to meet this problem. I believe it has not been tackled in the past because there was not the vocal lobby which there might be in other areas of education. We cannot throw anybody to the wolves, throw anybody to one side, because they had not got a pressure group, or vocal group, or because their parents may not be interested. It would be remiss of us if we neglected these people and did not make moneys available for secondary education. This aspect of education should also be looked at.
The third level groups are well able to look after themselves and, by and large, they are getting more than their share. If you compare the figures from the lower level with the higher level you would say there is great social inequality in our society. Let us not have social inequality. Let us have equality. Let us cherish all our children equally. In the situation which operates at the moment some are cherished more equally than others.
That operates particularly at third level education where, because of their background, because they had the opportunity, they are availing of the large amounts of money which are being put into education. At the other end of the scale because they come from socially deprived homes they are cast literally to one side without any consideration whatsoever. If we are honest, this is another aspect of our education which we must look at. I would urge the Minister to urge his colleagues in Government to make the moneys available. I am aware that money is in short supply. I am involved in a local authority housing committee. We are looking for money and various people involved in other aspects of social welfare are looking for money.
The time has come when we must deliver the goods to these schools which in the past have made it possible for our children to be educated at no great cost to the State. Over the years they were taken for granted. They do a good job and they do it reasonably. Now the costs have caught up with everybody and inflation has caught up with us all. We have now got to face the realities of life and come out with a firm decision to say: "Yes. We want the moneys made available." I urge the Minister to do this. If he does we can look forward to a better educational standard in our country. I know the Minister is conscious of the needs. Like all Ministers, he obviously is tied to what is given to him. He must consider the purse strings. It is up to him now to deliver the goods and ensure that there will be no breakdown in the secondary level education which has done so much for Ireland. We now have the obligation in this House to do something for it.
