Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

During my address on the Institutes of Technology Bill, I paid tribute to the Minister's work. At the institute in Tallaght, which I regularly visit, I know the Minister's work is appreciated and the Bill is warmly welcomed.

Some of my colleagues spoke emotionally about education and it is important that we all support what the Minister is doing. I am no expert but I remember my school days, which were a while ago, with a great deal of affection. I regularly bring visitors from schools in my constituency to the Oireachtas and make the point that we only discover how much we love school when we leave it. I am from a generation in which children were treated differently. I went to school at Clarendon Street in this parish, then Synge Street and, for secondary school, Drimnagh Castle. I am from a Dublin of a different era but it is important that we understand the need for proper investment in education and do what we can to educate the children of our communities.

The Minister knows that I strongly support her actions in respect of schools in what we often describe as disadvantaged areas. My constituency is no different and I welcome the fact that she has visited schools there. Recently, she went to the Sacred Heart school in Killinarden, a parish of 1,500 houses that is making good progress, including success in the Early Start programme and so on. The Minister must continue to pool her resources in respect of those services as they will be supported.

My colleagues have spoken about the international community, to which the INTO and others refer as newcomers. Perhaps that is all right but the Department must examine the particular challenges faced by some schools in this regard. I have brought to the Minister's attention on a number of occasions St. Mark's junior-national school in Springfield, Tallaght, which was established 30 years ago or so. It has been a tremendous facility for the local community. It is coping well with the influx of international children but it faces particular challenges. I welcome the fact that the Minister recently arranged for senior departmental officials to examine the position in the school. Arising from this, I hope special incentives will be provided. Deputy Crowe and I have raised this matter a number of times, including in Adjournment debates. There is a strong case to be made for St. Mark's school.

In my constituency there are a number of new communities, particularly in west Tallaght in areas like Carrickmore, Belfry, Westbrook, Firhouse and the general Ballycullen area. There are particular challenges for parents in those areas who need to access school places. There will always be a need for the planners in the Department of Education and Science to liaise closely with local authorities — in our case, with South Dublin County Council — to ensure that enough forward planning is taking place. Where new communities are developing and children are seeking school places, the Department should look ahead and provide those places. It will always be the case that parents will want to bring their children back to where they were educated, and Tallaght is no different in this regard. I wish the Minister well and assure her of my support.

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