According to a statement from his office this morning, we understand that the Taoiseach intends to push for a united and clear European position on the atrocities in Gaza at the meeting of the European Council due to take place tomorrow and on Friday. Having failed last week in the Oval Office to convey the sentiment and solidarity of the people of Ireland regarding Gaza, I respectfully request that we have time this afternoon to hear from the Taoiseach exactly what is the unified and clear position that he is seeking to pursue in Europe.

We need an urgent debate on funding for our schools. Last Thursday, Sacred Heart Junior National School in Killinarden was forced to write to the Department of Education to say that it will be closing its doors on 1 April because it cannot afford to pay its bills. All teaching will be moving online, which is an absolute crisis for the pupils and the families that are affected and which is completely unworkable. Last October, the school flagged with the Department a shortfall of €26,000. Since then, it has got worse. The school has been in constant communication but no funding has been forthcoming. In the past few days, under pressure, the Department made an advance payment to the school, which means it will not close its doors on 1 April. This just kicks the can down the road, however. It does not deal with the fundamental issue of inadequate funding for this junior school, the senior school and many other schools across the country. This is happening while the State gives more than €140 million every year to private schools. Glenstal Abbey, which asks fees of over €14,000 per year from students, got €1.4 million last year. The Department cannot find €40,000 for the school to which I refer. We need to save our schools and we need to debate this in the Dáil.