Education not so free any more - Back-to-school costs

IT IS almost exactly 50 years since Donogh O’Malley caused consternation among colleagues in government when he announced his free post-primary education scheme without having brought the matter to Cabinet.

The enthusiasm of the public response was said to have forced the government’s hand to make his proposal but it later emerged that Taoiseach Sean Lemass had approved of the plan in advance.

As expected, the Department of Finance had a hissy fit, warning that we could not afford it and that it would bring ruination to the country.