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

I thank the Minister. With regard to the programmes the Minister mentioned, I will point out that unfortunately not every school has the opportunity to roll out those programmes. There are many more schools that would need to. Even if we could look at the expansion of some of those programmes it would really make a difference.

I thank the Minister for coming and engaging with us today. We were happy to defer the proposed engagement on the Action Plan for Education. We look forward to engaging with the Minister on that in a few weeks.

I offer the Minister my best wishes and those of the committee as he takes on this large task. Education is important. It is the heartbeat of every community. We look forward to the engagement we will have on a number of different issues. The Minister's inclusive and collaborative approach is welcome. I have no doubt we will work well together. There will be times when we will have to hold the Minister to account. I know the Minister appreciates it will only be in the interest of trying to get the best possible education system that we can have. I thank the Minister's officials for being here.