Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegates and thank them for their presence. I have found all of the contributions very informative but also quite disturbing, particularly those of the two principals. Some of the problems they highlighted are a sad indictment of the education sector, specifically those who have decisions to make and are tasked with looking after the education of children.

Dr. Anne Ryan talked about the co-teaching model. One problem I have is that I constantly hear about young teachers who receive training and then jump on an aeroplane to Dubai or wherever else. It must be very frustrating for Dr. Ryan and her colleagues, as well as for society, that we spend so much on the education of teachers only for them to move away. Why is that the case? What can we do to stem that awful waste of resources?

Ms Breda Corr talked about capitation grants and the need for them to be increased. She also talked about the lack of planning for pupils with special needs, particularly at second level. My heart goes out to the parents in the Visitors Gallery. I can only imagine how stressful it must be in trying to find a school that will take one's child to give him or her the best chance in life. It is very depressing and the matter needs to be addressed urgently.

The contributions of Ms Duggan and Ms Dempsey were very striking. Ms Dempsey talked about the lack of subject teachers and the many days on which she had no teachers. Do we need to incentivise teachers to move into that area? How could this be done?

The issue of support for Travellers was mentioned by Ms Nic Craith. It is one that definitely needs attention.

I will finish by putting Dr. Áine Hyland completely on the spot because of her experience across a wide range of sectors. If she was sitting in the Minister's seat, what measures would she introduce that would require some investment and what measures would she introduce that would not require investment but which would have an immediate effect?