Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When I visited Cork Life Centre along with members of the committee, I was struck by people’s various backgrounds, from working class and lower middle class to upper middle class. Every one of them was high class but they came from various backgrounds. Every child and student has various levels of confidence and various ways in which they are able to express themselves independently or otherwise in, to borrow a phrase of the Minister's a moment ago, showcasing their talents and skills. Perhaps some of these students are unable to do that in the larger school setting, but they were able to find their confidence and showcase their talents and skills when they were part of Cork Life Centre.

I would not like to see anything happen to Cork Life Centre and many other centres across the country. I know this is a big challenge for the Minister and her Department. Do we see more facilities such as Cork Life Centre mushrooming across the country? Is that the answer? I am not the Minister or an official in the Department but I believe we must grasp the nettle and offer assistance. These are fabulous students. I listened to the Minister's reply in the Dáil Chamber yesterday evening. I spoke to the staff members in the Cork Life Centre who gained qualifications to get where they are today. Those people, like everybody else, aspire to being the brilliant people they are, having permanent and full-time jobs, being able to acquire a mortgage and a secure future for themselves and their families.

The committee visited Mountjoy Prison last week. I was very impressed to see that the teaching staff there are in full-time employment for the 12 months of the year. They are employed by the education and training board and are in the prison on a permanent basis. They also get summer payment. To become a teacher is a difficult road to take. It is a difficult qualification to gain. We are doing teachers down if they have to avail of social welfare for the summer months of the year. If I were a teacher and had to avail of social welfare, I would not come back to the classroom as confident come September as I was when I left in May because I had to go on the dole. It is hugely downgrading to someone who has a fantastic qualification.

When the Minister visited the Cork Life Centre, he gave a commitment to look into the fact that registered teachers were not being paid in the way that others were nationally and across other settings. He asked for information to be sent to him and his Department. I understand that was done immediately. I further understand that the director of the Cork Life Centre stayed in touch with the social inclusion section of the Department over the summer months. Nothing has happened. It may be that the Minister and his officials are working on it but I would like to know where that matter stands at the moment, if the Minister could answer.