The number of schools in financial distress has soared. In the 2022-23 school year, five schools were referred to the financial support services unit, but the number has jumped significantly to 34 schools this year.

Nearly half those are DEIS schools and special schools. The sharp increase in operating costs sees many schools struggling to keep the doors open. Since early last year, Rutland National School, which is in my constituency, has been pleading with the Taoiseach's Government for help with soaring insurance and utility costs but has had no positive response. The school has been hit, would you believe, with a water bill of nearly €9,000. It is living with real uncertainty, and the school is not on its own in that. We know that Government funding simply does not match the costs that schools face. We can see the soaring numbers of schools in real difficulty.

I thank Deputy McDonald. I call the Taoiseach.

What action does the Taoiseach propose to take on this matter?

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. We have about 3,000 schools in this country. When schools find themselves in financial difficulty, there is a structure and system in the Department of Education to respond to such schools. I will refer the matter to the Minister for Education. I ask the schools involved to engage with the section in the Department that deals with schools that have financial challenges or are under financial pressure.