Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is good to see Ms Joyce and Mr. Joyce again, both of whom I have had the pleasure of engaging with many times before, and it is nice to meet Ms Reilly for the first time, albeit virtually. I will take this opportunity to congratulate Ms Reilly and Mr. Joyce on their educational and academic achievements. I take my hat off to them and say "Well done". May it bring them many other great horizons.

I have found the engagement interesting. As our guests will be aware, I have been examining this issue for some time. Ms Joyce referred to the report we produced in the previous education committee and the recommendations that came from that. They were good recommendations, arising from much thought and interaction. It is disappointing. As was noted, we do not want to be sitting around the table in a further two years' time saying the recommendations that came out of this process still have not been implemented. I completely agree on that point. For me, the main message to emerge from this meeting is one on which I too beat the drum, namely, as Mr. Joyce stated, that the money should follow the child. Some DEIS schools' programmes are excellent but many children in non-DEIS schools suffer from many different types of inequality and disadvantage. On the other hand, some children who attend DEIS schools do not suffer from disadvantage. It really annoys me when we talk about DEIS schools as the recipient of so much. The entire model needs to be evaluated. Moreover, I do not like the labelling of schools as either DEIS or non-DEIS.

During Covid and the closure of schools, a time when many children slipped behind, access to broadband was shown to be a big issue. The digital divide, as well as the socioeconomic divide, was also a problem. Was enough done to ensure that Traveller children had access to broadband and digital devices?

Our guests will know from previous engagements where I stand on restricted timetables. It is an appalling method to have been introduced in schools and to have become almost commonplace. I fully agree about the guidelines being implemented and monitored, which was one of our key asks, and I appreciate the impact the timetables have had on Traveller students. At one of our previous engagements, a Traveller boy from Galway, who had done some work experience with Deputy Rabbitte before she was appointed a Minister of State, spoke to us about his experience in education. It seemed the biggest plus for him in education was the fact that a homework club had been set up for young Traveller students. That was the key for him and his peers. He provided terrific leadership among his community and encouraged his siblings and friends to attend the homework club. All he wanted to do was become a community garda because he saw the positive influence a community garda had had in his life. I recall thinking what a difference he would make to his peers if he became a community garda and could encourage others. Our guests might expand a little on some of those points.

On the inclusion of Traveller history and culture in school curricula, I understand positive recommendations were made earlier at Cabinet. I thank the former Senator Colette Kelleher for all the work she did, which Senators Flynn and Ruane have taken up. The post of visiting teacher for Travellers in schools was, unfortunately, withdrawn, something I had always felt was a very positive model in schools.

Finally, what three specific asks would help level the playing field?