Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I take the opportunity to wish the outgoing Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, the very best. He is a man who has made an immense political contribution in what has been a long and distinguished career. Looking back over the past 30 or 40 years, he is one of the figures in Irish politics who have stood out. I know that he has some time left in this Parliament and have no doubt that once he retires at the end of this Dáil, he will continue to contribute to public life. On my own behalf and that of my party, I send him good wishes.

I do not believe the response given by the Minister of State is acceptable in any way. We have been listening to this for over a year and a half. Perhaps the Minister of State might tell me whether he believes it is acceptable that it should take this long to consider a report. While the Minister, his Department and the Government have been sitting on the report, small schools across the country have been subject to significant cuts in teacher numbers and the funding they receive. It is unacceptable that we continue to see this approach and such measures taken that many believe are contained in the value for money review without the Government being up-front and honest and publishing the report in order that we can have a proper debate on it and ensure assurances can be given to schools on what the future holds.

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