Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee I welcome the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, and her officials here today. I congratulate her on her reappointment to the Government yesterday and wish her the very best of luck.

The Minister is here to discuss key issues for the Department, specifically: plans for special education with reference to special education allocations and the role of special educational needs organisers, SENOs; the outcome of the school transport review, with reference to the provision of school escorts; the current and future plans for the school building unit; senior cycle reform, with reference to revised curriculum specifications; mental health supports for schools, with reference to emotional therapeutic counselling services; science, technology and engineering, STEM, in Irish education, with reference to inclusion, diversity and female participation; the integration of immigrants in primary and post-primary education, with reference to English as an additional language, EAL, instruction for non-English speaking students at primary level; senior cycle and junior cycle reform and non-exam curriculums.

That will be followed by questions from committee members. Each member will have a six-minute slot. Given the time constraints, the questions must be asked and the witnesses allowed to respond within their time. As the Minister is probably aware, the committee will publish her opening statement on its website following this evening's meeting.

Before we begin, I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. The Minister has five minutes.