Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

For some time, I have been involved in addressing the major issues of obesity, bullying, suicide and self-harm. Deputy Finian McGrath has taken an active interest in the latter two issues. Sport needs support and development, although investment in equipment is not a significant need. Recently, Senator Eamonn Coghlan started a plan for every school. I would welcome the Minister of State's opinions on it.

Also recently I had an opportunity to meet the teachers of a school in my constituency, the Archbishop Ryan senior national school in Balgaddy. They are committed to the challenges facing the school, which is in the heart of a developing and, in the opinion of some, very needy community. Their principal, Mr. John Ring, and their INTO representative, Ms Siobhan Kelly, outlined to me with all of the teachers present the challenges they face on a daily basis. Given the fact that more than 70% of the school's children are international students, the teaching of language is a particular demand.

The following day I met the principal of the adjoining Archbishop Ryan junior national school, where Ms Marie Mullen, her staff and some 200 children in prefabs are facing the challenges of the economic downturn. The teachers are not only providing an excellent education service, but a wonderful developmental service for the children from the new community in Balgaddy to help them integrate into Ireland, to become culturally aware of Ireland and to accommodate their different cultural and linguistic backgrounds into the Irish curriculum.

These are a sample of the 40 schools in my constituency of Dublin Mid West. I also met the board of management of St. Mary's school in Saggart recently. It is a two-site school with two special needs classes. I was overwhelmed and impressed by the standard of teaching and the dedication of the board. The school is facing serious challenges.

Will the Minister give further attention to the topic of adult education, which is the key to our economic recovery? For example, Collinstown Park Community College in Clondalkin and the Inchicore College of Further Education provide retraining for adults who are changing careers. Such people need the support of the education system. I hope that, in the Government's lifetime, the Minister and his Department will be able to meet this challenge and allow people to play their part in our national recovery. I support the Bill.

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