€9 million on school phone pouches displays a staggering disconnect from reality

TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has said that we desperately need a change in approach so that we can make a break from the type of wanton waste of taxpayers’ money that we have seen from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in recent weeks. Teachta Crowe referenced the spiralling costs of the Children’s Hospital, the news that modular homes will cost the state over €442,000 each, and now the Budget announcement that the Department of Education will shell out €9 million on phone pouches when children with autism cannot even access education.
 
Teachta Crowe said “That this government would think that mobile phone pouches are what our schools need most right now displays a staggering disconnect from the reality facing our children and our education system today. That they would spend €9 million on the programme simply boggles the mind.
 
“Only last month we saw the case of a girl who was refused a place by 19 secondary schools because they could not provide for her autism diagnosis and this is far from an isolated case. We have schools who cannot fill vacancies in Dublin because young teachers cannot afford to live anywhere close to the school. Phone pouches aren’t going to solve these problems.
 
“I also find it hard to credit the Minister when she says this is a one-off expense. Surely these pouches will need to be maintained and replaced periodically from wear and tear. Who will pay for that? We know that many schools are already struggling to repair the basics like a leaky roof or keep the heat and lights on.
 
“Ask any school board or principal, the Capitation Grant is never enough and schools have to rely on ‘voluntary’ donations from parents and fundraisers throughout the year. “It is clear to me that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have been in power for too long if they would present this policy and its cost to the public with a straight face.
 
“We desperately need a change in government so that we can make a break from these types of wanton spending. You can no longer trust Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil with taxpayers’ money. We have seen this with the Children’s Hospital, with modular homes that cost more than a four bed house, the Oireachtas bike shed, and now with phone pouches. Someone has to call a halt.”