Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand that assistance is there but this is happening out there. There is very clear evidence. Parents go to the Department, which tells them that it is not its problem. The parents are sent back to the patrons, who tell them that it is not their problem. The parents are then sent between Billy and Jack - the chairman of the board of management and the parents' council. This is happening in a very limited number of schools but nobody seems to take responsibility and the only people suffering are the students. It is a significant problem and parents are pulling their hair out. Nobody is taking responsibility and the only people suffering, and suffering badly in some cases, are the children. They see with their own two eyes. The Department is not taking any responsibility. In fact, it is washing its hands of it and sending parents back to the patrons, who are not taking responsibility. The chairman of the board of management is trying his or her best in very difficult circumstances and the only people suffering are the pupils. The witnesses come in here today and say it is about the pupils, the pupils, the pupils but in respect of taking responsibility for the people they employ, who employs teachers? Is it the patrons or the Department? Someone has to take responsibility for some situations that arise. There is no use in them closing their eyes, washing their hands of it and moving on thinking someone else will sort out the problem. This problem is not going away.