Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply which sets out the services available and the policies which inform those services. It is important that we have in place a support mechanism for young people who are exceptionally able. Through my work as a constituency Deputy I have had contact with students who are frustrated because they no longer feel challenged in a classroom environment, which then leads to frustration in the teaching profession. Our teachers do an excellent job but often find it difficult to continue to challenge a student who feels academically unfulfilled in a classroom environment. A teacher has a significant number of pupils to teach and coach through the curriculum. Parents are also trying to balance all of this. It is important this area is closely monitored.

As I said earlier, I am conscious of a service in Dublin City University which provides an outlet and resources for exceptionally able children. It is important that such resources are available to all children and not only children from families who can afford to access them. I know that the Dublin City University service does its utmost to support everybody who tries to access it. I thank the Minister of State for his response to this issue. It is an area in which I have an interest and know the Minister of State, given his brief, will also be interested in it.

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