Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

Many of teachers are in schools that do not need them and not enough of them are in schools where they are needed. That is an important issue. Support should be provided where it is needed. When standardised testing is introduced, the Department will be in a better position to determine that. However, no child should leave school without being literate.

The provision of special needs support at second level is also problematic, which Deputy Keaveney touched on in her contribution. Second level schools do not have the supports many children with learning difficulties such as dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder need. Improved supports need to be given to these children. Many of them who received support at primary level lose it when they transfer to second level and it takes a while for the second level schools to secure the support they need subsequently. This issue also needs to be addressed.

The interim task force report may well result in good, positive proposals regarding support for schools in the provision of quality leadership and so on and in addressing their ethos and culture. In particular, I am concerned about students buying into the system provided by the school and knowing what is expected of them, while at the same time the school should only expect what the child can give. Many schools have pupils who are aiming to score 500 points or more but who, at their absolute best, might only be capable of achieving 300 points. A culture must be developed in schools whereby young people are rewarded for achieving their best performance. They need to be encouraged much more to achieve their best rather than setting other——

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