Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Fleming has pointed out a number of issues that are of importance. Boards of management are the employers of the teachers. In most cases they are purely voluntary people. If difficulties arise in school situations it can be very trying for boards of management to make decisions to sort them out. Of course, people who work in the administration for particular schools work exceptionally hard for lower wages. However, I believe that the Minister has set out a clear strategy, particularly in respect of the primary system, both in respect of the support for teachers and support for schools. I acknowledge the exceptional commitment of so many people who fund-raise and do work in schools for sport, music, choirs and so on as a compliment while their children are moving through that system. I also recognise that where the State has been in a position to provide new and proper facilities for the primary system there are exceptional buildings, but that is all they are: buildings. More important is the potential and the opportunity for the teachers and the teaching staff to really bring their students on and bring out the best in them, irrespective of what level that is.

I go to schools that are twinned with schools in the United States, Australia, New Zealand or wherever. I see children given the opportunity to contact their peers in other countries to talk about their music, culture, sport and what it is they do. This gives them, as part of the Irish nation, an understanding of our place in the world.

The Minister, Deputy O'Sullivan, will meet with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, and the Minister for Finance in the preparation for the forthcoming budget. I have no doubt that the issues Deputy Fleming has raised will feature as part of those discussions and I hope that they can be progressed somewhat.

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