Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I find it absolutely bizarre that a group of parents from a primary school organisation will now advocate for secondary schools. The Minister knows the difference between primary and secondary education, and the different obstacles and challenges they face daily. I understand that the NPCPP had governance issues. However, I understand that those issues have been overcome and that officials in the Minister's Department are well aware of this. It seems absolutely short-sighted to withdraw all funding at this juncture and to ask another body to commence the same work. During Covid, the secondary schools organisation undertook some important work. It provided a helpline and worked very closely with officials in the Department. I think this is very short-sighted, from the Minister's point of view and from a departmental point of view. She did not meet the organisation in person to inform it of the reasons for this decision, which was communicated through an official. I find it absolutely bizarre that the responsibilities of this organisation are being transferred to a primary school organisation. If I were the parent of a secondary school child, I would not be impressed to be told that an organisation for the parents of primary school children is going to represent the parents of secondary school children.