Ms Brigid Quilligan:

The effects of the cuts have been devastating. Already, we do not know the transfer rate for children coming from primary to secondary school. We know that no interest is being shown in Traveller children in schools. They are being expelled left, right and centre.

The Senator raised a number of points. The first was about vocational education. I agree with her that vocational education is a wonderful route, if that is one's choice. However, some children, regardless of their background, have aspirations to be doctors, scientists or academics.