Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No apologies have been received. Can members please ensure their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment of the Houses even on silent mode? The draft minutes of the meeting on 21 May have been circulated. Are the minutes of that meeting agreed to? Agreed.

We will meet with the Minister for Education, Deputy Norma Foley, in session one and with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Simon Harris, in session two. On behalf of the committee, I would like to welcome the Minster, Deputy Norma Foley, and the Minister of State at the Department of Education with special responsibility for special education and inclusion, Deputy Josepha Madigan, and their officials here today.

The report on the review of out-of-school provision was published by the social inclusion unit at the Department of Education on 12 May. Why was the joint committee not informed of the publication of the report? What are the Minster's intentions regarding sustainable funding at the Cork Life Centre as there is no funding model contained in the report? What is the rational behind the decision to only focus on 13 to 15-year-old students in the review? What plans are in place for students who are 16 years old and older who are at senior cycle in an alternative education setting as the review makes no provision for this cohort?

The second issue in this session is education and supports provision for displaced Ukrainian students. I propose that we take the first issue, the review of out-of-school provision report, at the start of the meeting, separately from the Ukrainian issue. If members put their hands up, I will call them. Members have a number of specific questions.

I ask the Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, to make their brief openings statements.