Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Regarding the Minister's earlier remarks about time being available, in regard to the fourth group, if one likes, in the Opposition - the others - this week, on a number of issues, there has been no time available. I think the Minister misled the House, effectively, in that regard. It was a very short debate. I remember many instances when Governments changed and there was a wide-ranging debate over a number of hours.

On the Minister's own portfolio, a couple of weeks ago I questioned him in regard to the changes at junior certificate level and whether we will have an opportunity in this House to discuss the matter. As he knows, there is grave disquiet among second level teachers about this. Many observers did not agree with the approach taken at the ASTI conference in particular, but I believe the megaphone and everything else did express a feeling that the Minister simply was not listening to people and that the need for an independent evaluation at around age 14 or 15 is still there. This is an issue which may need debate in this House.

With regard to the summer works scheme, while I welcome the amount of funding the Minister has provided, some schools have just missed out, for example, an Educate Together school in Kilbarrack in my own constituency. Is it possible there will be further assistance for those schools that have badly needed works and whose buildings have deteriorated?

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