Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I acknowledge the work the delegates have been doing. They have given us a very powerful insight into their own personal experiences. I believe in the principle of integration, but, as Deputy Brendan Smith said, 8% is a very small figure. Ms Copeland has outlined some of the obstacles to increasing that number. Are there other practical steps that could be taken to increase it? The delegates spoke about beginning with parents and having to go through this process, but 8% is still a small figure after 20 or 30 years. Are the groups represented not getting the message out on the value of integrated education?

Given that schools are not being integrated, are there programmes between schools that aim to increase their awareness of each other and the issues other schools face? Communities might not be located on the same campus, but at least there might be some engagement between them.

I note that the Republic is becoming more multicultural. Does this reflect another challenge for integrated schools? We are no longer talking about the two traditional communities in the North but much wider communities.

I was interested in the question abut the Irish language, but it has been answered.

My third question concerns teacher training. Is the principle of integrated education part of general teacher training, or are the delegates talking about a module that is additional, not compulsory? It appears that it should be compulsory as a part of teacher training.