Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Irwin.

I have another couple of comments to make. I have spoken about this in larger primary schools. They do not have a similar problem in secondary schools. In my local primary school, St. Aidan’s Primary School, Enniscorthy, where my own children are going to school, there could be a little over 900 pupils. It is a fantastic school, run by the principal, Mr. Frank Murphy. I ask Mr. White to make a brief comment on the following, although I know I am outside the remit here but it is part of it. It is hard for a walking principal in a very large primary school to identify some of what is going on. I know he or she has the co-operation of all the teachers, but in a post-primary school, there are maybe two deputy principals. However, in a large primary school, there is only one permanent walking principal. I have mentioned this to the Minister for Education, Deputy Norma Foley, on numerous occasions when she has been before the committee. I ask Mr. White whether this is an issue for larger primary schools which do not have a permanent walking vice principal.