Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have been fortunate in recent months to have been able to visit many countries, especially in Asia, to try to raise awareness of Ireland's fantastic system of education. When I am abroad I can stand over the quality of the education we deliver at primary, post-primary and tertiary level. I do not accept that there is a lack of willingness on the part of the Department to work with the two Steiner schools in County Clare. A process of engagement is taking place, albeit one that is taking a long time to complete. If the Department did not see some merit or value in the Steiner model being applied in County Clare, it would have ceased all engagement in 2007 or 2008. The opposite is the case and departmental officials are engaging and proactively supporting, through the inspectorate, efforts to facilitate and amalgamate the model in the national system. The two are not mutually exclusive and some middle ground will be found, I hope in the near future. I have been informed that the inspectorate is supportive of both boards of management and working hand in glove with them to address issues that arise. The Deputy and I, as well as everyone involved in education in County Clare and all those who espouse the Steiner model, want the very best education to be delivered to young people to a standard over which we can all stand.

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