Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept that the primary focus within any school or education system has to be the pupils. That aside, schools are to a certain extent like small businesses. Smooth administration is hugely important and is of great support to the principal and the teaching staff and we cannot underestimate the work of secretaries and caretakers. Indeed, in many cases, it is helping to facilitate wider community activities after school hours as well. That is correct too because there needs to be a more efficient use of school buildings, in terms of the community. I accept that is a wider issue.

I propose to go back now and conduct the round of spokespersons. I call Deputy Thomas Byrne.