Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for joining us and the staff of the Department for the work in preparing for the meeting. I also thank the Comptroller and Auditor General and his staff for assisting the committee today. Is it agreed that the clerk will seek any follow-up information and carry out any agreed actions arising from the meeting? Agreed. Is it also agreed that we note and publish the opening statements and the briefings provided for today's meeting? Agreed.

I acknowledge the work of the Department in recent years. It was hard to do things perfectly. The committee even had a job functioning at times and trying to keep to schedule. I acknowledge the significant effort made in trying to keep 4,000 schools up and running. We have raised many issues today. We are in the front line with the public, and schools are very important. Irish people place a high importance on the education system. Local Deputies and Ministers are the first people to be contacted when things are not going right or when it is felt things need to move faster. I appreciate the Department's co-operation in that regard. I thank the witnesses for attending.