Dr. Seán Rowland:

Thank you, Acting Chairman. Hibernia College would be very strong on the teaching of Irish. This year alone our students will spend over €2 million in dedicated Gaeltacht areas. We would be very supportive of our Gaeltachts and of them being of the highest calibre. Arising from this meeting, all I can say is that we would all agree that we should pay teachers equally and then move on from there. Our model must evolve. Our returning teachers are vital. The budget shows that the State sector has been crucified, with which we certainly empathise. Our State budget is zero. However, as pointed out, schools are extremely helpful when it comes to teaching practice, or TP as it is called. In some cases over the years, we have been told we are sponsored because the Department provides us with candidates who already have primary and secondary schooling. That is another way of looking at it. The bottom line is that we are providing a substantial number of teachers. We are doing the very best we can to make sure they are the best teachers for children and young people in this country.

Taking shots about whether one is private or public really does not matter. Some of the best institutions in the world, and which are in the top rankings, are private. We try to do our best and we do a very good job with a very modest budget. We should all be able to work together, whether private, religious, public or State, as long as we are doing accredited honours work.