On page 86 of the programme for Government, in the section dealing with education, a commitment is given to provide annual increases in primary and secondary capitation grants. On page 90 a commitment is given to set out capitation rates to schools on a rolling three-year basis, allowing for forward planning. To date, there has been no increase in capitation grants for either primary or secondary schools. When will the Taoiseach honour the commitment made in the programme for Government more than two and a half years ago?

On the same issue, the Government did give commitments. This is causing extreme hardship in our schools which are having to make up the shortfall by fundraising. It is very difficult for principals, teachers, parents associations and parents to try to make up the shortfall of funding to run the schools. Of course, the capitation grant should be increased at this time, given it is one of the most essential things that keep our schools running smoothly. I support the call made here today. When is the Taoiseach going to honour the commitment in the programme for Government?

It is always a case of having to prioritise, as Deputies will appreciate. The education budget this year is €10 billion, the highest education budget in the history of the State. What does that mean in practice? It means 5,000 more teachers than we had two years ago. It means we now have 15,000 SNAs, so there are more SNAs in Ireland than gardaí, even though the number of gardaí is increasing as well. It means new school buildings throughout the country. It means new subjects, like physical education and computer science at the leaving certificate, for example. Extra money, in education at least, is resulting in real improvements.

We were not able to provide for an increase in capitation in the budget for this year as the priority was additional staff, reducing the pupil-teacher ratio and all the things I mentioned, but it is certainly something that is under consideration for budget 2019. As is always the case, however, it is not good enough for Opposition parties just to demand more spending on everything everywhere. We need to prioritise. If the priority for next year is going to be capitation, obviously, that makes it hard to do other things.

The Taoiseach promised it.

It was his commitment.

The Taoiseach stated today that he is imposing a quality of legislation test in regard to money messages. That is utterly unconstitutional and if the Taoiseach is doing that, the Dáil needs to be very clear there is no provision for it in the Constitution.

Two months ago, almost to the day, the Minister for Education and Skills announced the biggest spending promise by Fine Gael so far this year. He announced a programme of 42 school buildings for new areas from September next year at a cost of €500 million, not including land costs. This also relates to page 86 of the programme for Government. To date, parents on the ground have no information whatsoever about where these schools will be or how they enrol their children. They are looking for schools for September next year, when half of these schools are due to open. The money has not been allocated and parents do not have the information, although the summer holidays are coming up. Will the Taoiseach give the parents of Ireland any more information on this €500 million promise by Fine Gael?

I do not have that detail before me, but I will ask the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton, to provide it for the Deputy once he has it.