Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will pick up on some points made but I will not ask Ms Tansey to comment. I will then ask some questions. Like many Members of both Houses, I feel that it all sounds very good but there is a huge amount of evidence throughout the country that the HSE counselling service is not working. There are waiting lists of long durations. At any politician's clinic there are horrifying stories of what some parents and students in primary and secondary schools are going through.

At the previous meeting, the business representative groups stated there is a need for many more graduates with foreign language skills, particularly with Brexit.

Language fluency will be a significant advantage for the development of our economy. Will the officials outline what measures have been taken to encourage students to learn a number of foreign languages? How can we ensure they are given fluency of language and how can we immerse that into the senior cycle? The vast majority of the people who have come before the committee over recent weeks when we have been discussing leaving certificate reform are not very optimistic on what reforms the Department is going to bring through. It is hoped we will see the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, bringing through some reforms when she looks at the NCCA report. Very many people are not optimistic because it seems this has been talked about before. We had a witness before the committee who had done a report on leaving certificate reform 30 years ago. That report is still sitting in the Department. Many officials have gone through the Department in the past 30 years but that report is still sitting on the Department's shelves. We have had the junior cycle reform and it is hoped we will see the senior cycle reform for the leaving certificate.

Perhaps the officials will comment on the language question. I also have a question on the learning and examination of the Irish language. Has the Department looked at this? I am aware there was reform in the junior cycle. To what extent can the learning on this reform in the junior cycle be brought forward by the Department into the senior cycle? What consideration is given to students who might do a stint in the Gaeltacht? I am aware that going to the Gaeltacht is not a cheap five or six weeks. Are there proposals to make this more affordable for all people so they are able to access the Gaeltacht? Given this consideration, would people be able to get extra points in their leaving certificate for attending the Gaeltacht?

We are experiencing a technical issue so we will suspend for a minute or two.