Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As a collective, we are all conscious of the world in which we live these days. We are aware that many of our students are gaining access to information, as I said previously, that is not supervised or appropriate and is not monitored. They are gaining that access via their mobile phones and other sources. It is important that students are equipped to face the challenges of the world in which they live and that they get the appropriate information from individuals who are appropriately trained. Hence, as I said, we are rolling out the postgraduate opportunity for staff with costs covered by the Department. It is equally important to say that students need to have that information.

As regards how we will proceed going forward, a public consultation process is open until 18 October 2022. I have invited everyone, and I take the opportunity to reiterate this, to express their thoughts, views and opinions on what we are about and what needs to be achieved for young people. When that is all received, we will take on board all the thoughts, opinions and shades of opinions and expertise. I absolutely accept there is no monopoly of wisdom on anything and we will take that on board.

However, fundamentally I want to be clear that students must have information for the world in which they live. They must receive it properly and the curriculum must provide for that. As to how we will do it, I respect the ongoing public consultation process and I am asking people to engage in it. We have until 18 October which is next week.