Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am sorry I had to leave earlier, but I had to attend a division in the Seanad.

I taught for many years and some schools can be closed in their views regarding uniforms. Even when it comes to the jumper, they will only accept a particular brand, while a factory outlet could produce it at a fraction of the cost, but they will not allow people to buy them because they are not of the appropriate quality.

Given the cuts affecting child benefit, the shoes and everything, it would be very beneficial to have a standard generic uniform. I know the Minister addressed that matter in one of his first speeches in the Seanad.

I feel very strongly about schoolbooks. I taught in a school where the schoolbooks scheme funded the tuck shop. It taught children entrepreneurship and how to manage because the tuck shop depended on how the book scheme went. However, in a school with no book scheme a significant amount of books are lost and may be handed up in lost property at the end of the year. In addition, teachers change books at the end of every year when there is absolutely no need. I know the Minister has made great progress and I commend him on his awareness of many of the issues in schools.

I have raised the issue of retired teachers several times in the Seanad and raised it again yesterday. As we approach the time of the year when the practical tests for music and home economics take place and we are three months away from the State examinations, I ask that a conscientious effort be made to employ newly-qualified teachers. I know the Minister said that last year when I raised it, but I am still aware of several hundred newly-qualified teachers who felt they were not given that option.