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

I appreciate the opportunity to say a few words on this important matter. As is traditional on these occasions, we often compliment the Opposition spokespersons on raising the issues and I am happy to do so sincerely. People talk a lot about the relationship between Limerick and Tallaght; I am happy to acknowledge this in a positive way.

I am also cheered by the fact that a former Minister, Deputy de Valera, is present because when she is in the House, she reminds me that had she not moved to County Clare, I might not be a Deputy today. In fact, I would not be a Deputy today because she represented my constituency very well and is still held in very high esteem in the Tallaght region and throughout the area. That is true in schools and people still talk about her, which is very positive.

It is also very important that we understand that there are challenges as far as education is concerned. I often say I did not set out to be a politician. I certainly was not born a politician. The first contact I had with the political system was through the local school when I moved with an employer to Tallaght all those years ago. My local parish priest appointed me as an Archbishop's nominee to the board of management of St. Mark's community school. It gave me an interest in local school development and education; my political interest developed from that and people were kind enough to encourage me. I always remember that this was my first interest as someone with a young family, two of whose children attended St. Mark's community school and whose youngest son attended Scoil Santain, which is the all-Irish school on Avonmore Road in Tallaght. As a parent, I took a particular interest.

It is very important that I take seriously my responsibility as a Member of the Dáil for the area and speak up for those who have issues about education. This is why, in recent years, I brought my concerns to the attention of the Minister. As we are talking specifically about primary education tonight, I will confine myself to that issue. However, I have pointed out to the Minister the need for a modernisation programme for many of our schools. During the time I have served in the Dáil, there has been much progress in this regard in Tallaght, Firhouse, Templeogue and Greenhills in Dublin South West and, indeed, Brittas. It is good that we are able to acknowledge this. I do not want Deputy Curran to think I am moving into Brittas because I know he represents most of it. It is very important that we understand that many of our schools need modernisation and it is good that we have been able to do this.

The Minister must be commended on the work she has done with regard to special educational needs and educational disadvantage because, again, there have been huge strides in this regard. I have often brought to the attention of the Minister the particular challenges faced by many schools throughout the country and certainly throughout my constituency. I have brought her to Jobstown and Killinarden in order that she could see the positive uses that can be made of additional moneys. The former Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, also visited some of those schools and saw the worth of that particular work.

Unfortunately, I missed the INTO meeting for my region in Liffey Valley because I genuinely had the flu that day. I jokingly said to somebody who I hope took it as a joke that I had a doctor's note which I was happy to produce. I am sorry I missed that meeting because I know parents and teachers from the general Tallaght area went and expressed their concerns. I will continue to represent those concerns and stress to the Minister the need for continued progress.

I do not wish to be too parochial, but I wish to speak for a second about my own parish — St. Mark's community school and St. Mark's senior national school in Springfield where I live, both of which have nearly 1,000 pupils. Almost half of that school population is drawn from the international community, which has presented particular difficulties and challenges. I am glad the Minister has recognised that and that she recently announced additional language support teachers for both schools, although I am informed by St. Mark's senior national school, which is the primary school, that it still needs one more teacher. Perhaps the Minister of State, Deputy Smith, might mention this to the Minister because the school is very anxious to acquire this teacher. He might also tell the Minister that among the things I wish to tackle in respect of my constituency and educational needs is the much needed new development in Saggart, an area represented by Deputy Curran. Many children from the Tallaght region go to St. Mary's national school in Saggart and it is important the Minister understand there is a need for a decision. This has nothing to do with the election, but there is a need for a decision in this regard.

I am happy to concede my time to other colleagues.

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