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

In the context of the significant financial pressures in which we have found ourselves over the lifetime of the Government, it is important to point out current expenditure on education has increased from €3.218 billion to €3.263 billion at primary level and from €3.07 billion to €3.147 billion at post-primary level. This means annual public expenditure per student in Ireland on early childhood, primary and post-primary education is above the average for OECD countries.

Teacher evaluation and inspection is a very complex and sometimes challenging subject and we need to be very careful in this regard. Recently I attended a conference which had a two day discussion on the subject. We must trust our teachers. They are highly trained professionals and in the vast majority of cases they are highly motivated individuals. Deputy McConalogue is correct to point out the model of inspection proposed by Harold Hislop would be very supportive and would identify weaknesses in teaching practices and assist individuals and whole schools to work to increase the quality of teaching.

The report Mr. Hislop has just published provides us with a very balanced and factual description of the challenging times we all face because of the current economic situation. It also provides us with an honest objective analysis of our education system. As the Deputy mentioned, it shows a well and properly functioning inspectorate is a key driver of educational change and school improvement and it highlights where there is good practice and where there is a need for improvement. It also indicates the very strong evidence the DEIS programme is tackling educational disadvantage very effectively. We have also seen evidence the literacy and numeracy strategy is working. There is also evidence in the report that the junior cycle reform recently introduced by the Minister, Deputy Quinn, is needed, and evidence of the need for a stronger voice for parents and students in school matters. This was determined by interacting with parents and students during the compiling of the report.

The report also provides us with data to show in the main parents and students are happy with their chosen school and the quality of teaching, learning and management within the schools. It also highlights, as I mentioned earlier, that we cannot be complacent. There is a need for continued reform in the education system, and the improvement of students' educational experiences in schools will be among the Minister's priorities in the coming years.

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