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

I recently met a lady at a coffee morning who informed me that I was a lovely little boy when I lived in Crumlin. However, my sisters say this is not true.

I enjoyed school and I still enjoy it. I have a five year old granddaughter who is taking a great deal of interest in school and who wants to draw, learn about the environment, etc. I am a strong believer in the process in that regard.

It is important that the issues the Minister is addressing in the legislation be highlighted. Everyone is aware of situations where particular students are a disruptive influence in school. We all remember our own school days and we have heard stories about what has happened to others since becoming involved in political life. When I moved to Tallaght, I never had any intention of becoming a politician. My first involvement in local politics — if one could call it that — was on various school boards. I am sure the then parish priest, Fr. Richard Sherry, who subsequently moved on to Donnybrook, will not mind me outing him for appointing me to a number of local primary school boards. It was not perceived that he and I were of the same political persuasion. I became a member of South County Dublin VEC in 1985 and ended up serving on all the school boards in the Tallaght area.

School boards of management continually raise issues relating to discipline with us and there is an expectation that, on each occasion, we should back them. That is fair enough and, in most instances, we support them. It is important that we should support the notion that young people be safe in their classes and that special attention be given to those students who want to attend classes, do everything right and behave and not be disruptive. This is vital, particularly in the context of health and safety issues.

As a result of serving on second level school boards in south-west Dublin over the years, I developed concerns with regard to those young people who were expelled from school. I except that this might not be one of the central themes of the Bill — which I welcome and which I am glad is being supported across the floor — but there will always be one young person who, for one reason or another, falls out of the system and it is not always the case that this fact is identified. Everyone can cite instances of this happening. The teacher unions and those they represent will inform one that schools cannot be all things to all people and that they are obliged to concentrate on those pupils who want to work and achieve. Young people who fall out of the system should not be forgotten. The Minister will be aware that I am particularly interested in a number of projects in my constituency that specialise in work of this nature. Those who work on these projects will always be obliged to challenge the view in the Department regarding what should be done and who should be doing it.

The Minister is aware that on a number of occasions I have expressed strong support for the Citywise education project, which is based at Jobstown village in Tallaght and which was opened by the Taoiseach. This project caters for the young people in the area. Since it commenced operations, it has run a full-time education programme for those who do not attend school and also a range of after-school supports and club and sporting activities for upwards of 250 local young people from the area of west Tallaght, particularly Jobstown, to which I refer. I spoke to those involved with the project earlier in the week and I understand they are looking after 15 young people from the area who, for one reason or another, have left school. Some of the children to whom I refer were actually expelled. It is important, particularly in the context of this legislation, that challenges exist in that regard and that someone takes action in respect of them.

I have been involved with school boards and local politics for almost 30 years. In that context, I am not sure that schools always make the best possible effort to discover what happens to the young people who fall out of the system and end up being at risk as a result. There is a great deal of pressure on the school system and those involved are obliged to provide services to those children who want to be educated, who want to act properly and who do not want to be disruptive. However, there will always be somebody who will drop out of the system and require special attention. In my view, it is important that we should cater for the needs of such individuals.

Many Deputies have received representations from the teacher unions, particularly the INTO, in respect of issues that are of concern to them. Over the next 100 days, as the end of the lifetime of this Dáil approaches, many people will knock on our doors to lobby us and take advantage of the political climate as they see it. In that context, it is important that we remain focused on what we are doing. I am glad the Government is doing so. Not long ago, a Taoiseach used to call an election, the various parties would hold their conventions and we would then canvass for two and a half weeks before voting took place. I met a man in Tallaght village this morning who informed me that the tree outside his house needs to be pruned. He poked me in the shoulder and stated that I should not forget that he has four votes at his disposal and that there is an election in the offing. I am not being flippant by recounting this story and I have always been accessible and available to people. It is the political season but people must remain focused. I hope the Minister will continue to retain her focus, that she will go about her business and that, where possible, she will visit schools. There are many schools in Tallaght and in my constituency in general at which she would be welcome.

Let us try to get the job done. I informed someone recently that I am more concerned about finishing my first Dáil term successfully than I am about being re-elected. It is important that one does one's job.

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