Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)

When I read this story, I was appalled at the treatment of the young girl at the centre of the case. An unplanned pregnancy is incredibly stressful for a young girl and the discourtesy shown to her by the school was something she could have done without.

Research and personal experience tell us that if young people are given every opportunity to complete their education, they will go on to reach their full potential. How then have we arrived at the situation outlined by Deputy Brendan Smith? How was a State funded school allowed to impose its own set of beliefs in a manner that could, at best, be described as blunt and, at worst, vindictive? We have heard from the Ombudsman, Ms Emily Logan, that the spirit of the Education Act 1998 is accessibility. In this case, the principal did not adhere to that spirit.

The mother at the centre of this story has been discriminated against in a modern society in the most despicable manner. It gives me no pleasure to raise this issue in the Dáil. The media spotlight cast on this story must be adding to the discomfort of the mother and the family at the receiving end of this scandalous treatment. One has to wonder in what century are we living when the school in question has refused to issue an apology to the young mother involved. To me, that is arrogance at its absolute worst. I understand the Department of Education and Skills is to launch an inspection in the coming weeks. I would like to know when that is going to happen. How will the Department ensure schools are adopting and following a policy of equality in admissions for all students?

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