Mr. Noel Kelly:

I am probably the least informed here, but the Deputy asked about delivering equality of opportunity in schools, DEIS, inspections. From the engagement we have with the inspectorate at Tusla level, there has certainly been a fairly significant change from the way inspections would have been previously. Previously, inspections were very much about fault-finding. Inspections now have become much more about support. They are about finding where the weaknesses are and enabling and supporting schools to intervene to address them. The inspectorate is seen as a critical friend now rather than just a critic, as it would have been in the past. The people who are in the schools might be better able to explain what it feels like, because it is still quite intimidating. I know this because I have been chair of the board of a school, and it is quite a challenge. It is a big issue for a school because we have to get everything ready. All policies have to be ready, and one does not know who the inspectorate is going to call into or at what time, so teachers have to be fully ready and up to date. Certainly, however, in my recent experience of it as chair of the board of a school, I found it to be very positive and encouraging. The inspectorate picked up on areas of weakness in the school that need to be addressed and gave some very positive tips as to how to do that.