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

I thank Deputy McLoughlin. There are a number of other witnesses ready to join the committee now. I propose that the committee does not go into private session but goes straight into the public session meeting on the barriers to education facing vulnerable groups. I am sure that all members are aware there are a number of other meetings on today. The timing is unfortunate. The Seanad reform committee is having its second meeting and I am a member of that committee. I have excused myself from that meeting, but there are a number of other meetings going on. I know that Deputy O'Sullivan also has other committee meetings that she needs to attend. I apologise for the timing, but I propose that we go into public session and then go back into a private session afterwards.

Before we start the stakeholder session, I remind members who may not be able to stay for the full meeting about tomorrow's proposed visit to the Department of Education and Skills in Tullamore. We had agreed to accept the invitation of the Department when it was at this committee, especially with regard to the capital build programme. That will start at 10 a.m tomorrow. Brenda will accompany us but members will make their own way to Tullamore. We will meet there at between 9.30 a.m. and 10 a.m. It will be a two-hour engagement with the officials there. Four members have confirmed. If there are other members who are travelling and who have not yet told us, please let us know.