Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a challenge. The Deputy mentioned the allocation of one fifth of the budget. The other four fifths of the budget goes to look after the teachers and those who provide education for our children and young people. The Deputy knows the extent of information available over the Internet. The job of teaching and the qualities of teachers have had to change. They are now directors, counsellors and guides. They must consider how to identify the flair in young people and how to put them in the direction of where the challenge is going to be met and where they can have a career and ambition. I do not share the Deputy’s disillusion.

The other day, I was in a school with 28 nationalities and a €6 million extension. The Deputy should hear those young people talking about living in this country, their ambitions to have a career here and what they want to do. Best of all was that the 28 nationalities, with their music, dress and traditions, were all talking about Ireland. Two of the most animated talks were those shared between the young people from Iran and the United States. I do not share the Deputy’s view at all. There are challenges and we would like to have more to invest. We cannot have it until we have an engine to drive it. At last, the Government, working with the people, has brought our country to a different spot.

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