Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Has the Minister had an opportunity to visit schools which are struggling through lack of funding? A number of ongoing changes within schools are causing particular difficulties.

In the case of DEIS schools, SENO resources have been reduced, much to the surprise and bafflement of the schools.

Second, the position on education and skills, which I raised with the Minister on a number of occasions, is that notwithstanding the huge building boom the progress made on further education and training opportunities, including apprenticeships, is very modest. As I am sure the Minister would be the first to acknowledge, much of the progress he referred to was as a result of the activity of the previous Government. I just do not get from the Minister a sense of ambition and vision regarding how we can improve conditions for the students and staff in the education system.

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