Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will make a brief point. I am glad the witnesses came before the committee to tell those stories, one of which has been going on for 13 years. There is nothing like hearing at first hand the circumstances in which people find themselves. This is an issue the committee should prioritise because there is little point in members talking about the benefits of education and the great education system we have if we do not have adequate conditions for children in schools.

I fully agree with what Mr. Burke said about children being last. Time and again here I speak about cases where we are failing children. All of us talk about the past and how badly children were treated in the industrial schools yet we seem to be continuing in the same way. It is as though children do not matter.

I believe school is very difficult for many children. It is difficult for parents to send their children to school if they issues to do with a learning difficulty or anxiety. Sending children to schools where the conditions are inadequate is unacceptable. I do not know how the witnesses have put up with them for so long and not closed up and protested at the gates until something was done about the conditions. What is happening is unacceptable. I look forward to members having the opportunity to ask the Department of Education and Skills the reason they can stand over these conditions in this day and age.