asked the Minister for Education when she expects that specific provision will be provided for internal and external painting of national schools.

Examination of the question of amending the existing financial arrangements for national schools with a view to making specific provision for the internal and external painting of national schools on a regular basis will be considered in connection with the preparation of the Estimates for Public Services in 1985.

The Minister might accept that my question is asked with a view to helping her at Estimate time. Would she not accept it as extraordinary that in respect of primary education — which in our Constitution is designed to be free — the board of management are responsible for the maintenance of their schools? This does not happen with regard to second and university level. The time has come when we should not be requiring the school manager or his staff to spend more time raising money than applying themselves to answering the educational needs of the students.

The Deputy is probably aware that there was a separate painting scheme until December 1974 when, with the agreement of all parties, it was changed and a new capitation grant substituted. The question of changing back to the former scheme or something similar now arises in view of the difficulties which many schools are experiencing in keeping their schools painted internally and externally. In the action programme it is stated that we hope to amend the financial arrangement and make specific provisions for this painting. I agree with the Deputy that there is a need in this respect.