Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman for giving me the opportunity so late to contribute to the debate. I had to attend a number of other meetings today and was not sure whether I would get an opportunity to contribute to this debate.

The legislation is both fundamental and very important, but there are a number of issues about which I want to raise genuine concerns, including the holding of fitness to practise hearings in public. We must be very careful in this regard. I know many people involved in the teaching profession which has served the country very well. If one looks at any assessment made from the 1950s onwards, there have been issues, but there is no point in throwing the baby out with the bath water. We must be very careful in having public floggings. While there are grievances which must be dealt with appropriately, we should be mindful that not every complaint is authentic or one that must be discussed in public. In other professions in which such hearings are held in public, when an allegation is made, it sticks, regardless of whether people are found innocent or guilty. We, therefore, need to proceed with caution because teachers across the country are very concerned about the way things are going.

Junior certificate reform is a major issue which must be dealt with in a serious way. We must be mindful of the vast economic well-being to which the education system has led in the last while.

I raise the issue of further education. I am aware of the great services being provided, particularly in Mallow, which serve much of my constituency. They provide a second chance for persons who had to leave education because of family circumstances, finances or whatever else and who benefit enormously from them. The thinking is that this function should be offloaded from the Department of Education and Skills, the old vocational education committees and the education boards and given to SOLAS. It is vitally important that we maintain educational links in the reforms proposed. There are many colleges that are doing massive work in communities in encouraging people back to take courses. I am aware of people who have been greatly empowered in taking these courses, particularly women from a difficult socioeconomic background. That is one of the great strengths in terms of the money spent on courses across the spectrum. We must be very careful that we do not end up in a situation where, for the sake of reform or streamlining, the educational element will be removed. We must, therefore, proceed with caution.

Like previous speakers, I welcome the common-sense approach adopted by the Minister yesterday to the issue of small rural schools.

It was a disgrace that the initial idea made it through the Cabinet in the first instance. It was a deplorable proposal which showed a degree of blindness and was clearly driven by a Dublin-centred agenda. The Minister has taken the correct decision, which will be good for rural communities, but more action is needed in this area.

To return to my main point, for far too long a tiny percentage of teachers have not been pulling their weight. However, teachers have described the proposal to deal with teachers about whom issues are raised as akin to a public flogging. The Minister must be very careful in this regard. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, referred to paralysis in the Civil Service and the tendency among civil servants to take the safe option. This will become an issue in the teaching profession. Previous speakers referred to innovative teachers. I had many teachers who pushed the boundaries in what pupils could achieve. It is vital that we empower such teachers and avoid a scenario where they will have to look over their shoulders as they wonder whether they will be hauled before the Teaching Council for failing to dot an "i" or cross a "t". I ask the Minister to reconsider her proposal in this regard because I have serious concerns about it.

I also have an issue with reform for reform's sake in the adult education sector. It is vital that the educational aspect of the sector be maintained and not be lumped in with training. Adult education should continue to be the responsibility of the education and training boards. I ask the Minister to address this issue.

It is wrong that the Minister has established a system for carrying out what one could describe as public floggings. It is difficult enough to attract people to the teaching profession and teachers view her proposal with scepticism. Many fine teachers in primary and secondary schools show great commitment to education. Last night pre-school teachers protested outside the gates. They also do great work in educating the next generation and empowering young people to develop their talents and use them to serve society. We do not need another sector of society looking over its shoulder. We have become too politically correct in establishing systems to ensure every "i" is dotted and every "t" crossed. This approach lends itself to paralysis in the system. We need to have people who are willing to be innovative in their sphere.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to speak about the Bill.

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