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

I thank the witnesses for their contributions. It has been incredibly interesting. There has been a great deal of common ground in the views expressed, namely that there is a need for more teachers, a need for more appropriately trained teachers and the need for proper resources to support our pupils. The main point in the mission statement of the Department of Education and Skills is on the provision of high quality education to enable all individuals to achieve their full potential and participate fully as members of society. That is the reason we are all here. After that, it is about the promotion of equality and inclusion. The children with special needs who need extra support in an educational setting and, as was rightly pointed out, in the provision of appropriate health services. Dr. Nic Craith referred to the programmes non-DEIS schools are losing out on to reduce their pupil-teacher ratios. They also lose out on social and emotional behavioural programmes, which is very wrong. There is an inequity in the way children in non-DEIS schools are losing out in that regard.

Before I pose my questions, I will open the floor to members for their questions and comments.