Finian McGrath
Ceist:7. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason funding for primary schools decreased by 15% over the past four years. [45100/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 27 November 2014
Ceisteanna (7)
Freagraí ó Béal (13 píosaí cainte)
This question relates to the need for proper high-speed broadband funding for primary schools and the issue highlights a flaw in the primary education system. Teachers tell me we need to up our game in this area because we have much talent. The Minister earlier noted that many teachers are talented in the area of information technology IT and the same applies to the huge number of highly skilled youngsters.
The Deputy is on Question No. 7.
I apologise, I moved on to Question No. 8 by accident.
It will save Deputy McGrath from making a speech on that later.
The Deputy is running ahead of himself. He is on high-speed broadband.
The Deputy made a Freudian slip. Leave out the incidentals.
I will go back to Question No. 7. I apologise again and ask the Minister why funding for primary schools fell by 15% in the past four years.
Deputy McGrath is very lucky this morning.
He should buy a lottery ticket.
He bought one already.
The Government's focus in recent years has been on operating a budgetary programme that is designed to return the Government finances to a sustainable basis. I appreciate that the measures taken impacted on schools, including the reduction in capitation, and are not sustainable in the longer term. I regard capitation funding as one of the priority areas to be considered for improved funding as the public finances improve on foot of economic recovery.
That was short and sweet. I agree that we must prioritise capitation grants but we must also catch up, given the hits taken by the education sector, particularly primary education, in recent years. The overall hit is 15%. I ask the Minister to focus on three aspects: class sizes, resources for children with disabilities and targeting disadvantage in early education. It has been proved that early intervention works. When I worked in education years ago the Breaking the Cycle programme was initiated by the Minister's former colleague, Ms Niamh Bhreathnach. Huge work was done for schools in disadvantaged areas and the focus was on young children so they would not be lost in the system later. The target must be on educational disadvantage and children with special needs.
On educational disadvantage, we are reviewing the DEIS programme as it has existed for some years. DEIS has done great work but it is time for it to be examined to ensure every element has positive results. Some schools did not qualify for DEIS, particularly schools that did not exist when it was initiated, so the area must be addressed. When I was in Deputy McGrath's position as an Opposition spokesperson I took a strong interest in educational disadvantage and this is an area I will address as Minister.