Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I speak with some recent experience, as my son just completed transition year in our local school, Calasanctius College in Oranmore.

While he had a good year, I see great merit in continued community service. There is no reason transition year cannot become a community service year under the tutelage of transition year co-ordinators and with rewards of points. In Singapore second level students are not allowed to graduate without completing a period of community service. These are valuable life skills for young people who are looking for a balanced educational experience that allows them to become rounded adults. There is no reason community service could not be carried out in the mental health area, with disadvantaged groups or in the community. Let us consider the merits of this proposal, in Senator Norris's sense as well.