Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Deputy's comments and I am in entire agreement with him. I strongly believe in the partnership approach in education. I also want to acknowledge that we see that work very effectively in many schools. As the Deputy has referenced the pandemic, we have seen extraordinary examples of that working so well and significantly to facilitate schools and school communities to journey through the pandemic. From my experience I know that a school community is strongest when it works together and when all voices are at the table. I want to give the Deputy an absolute commitment that it is a key priority for my Department and for myself to move this as quickly as we possibly can. We are awaiting an Order for Second Stage in the Dáil. At such time, as the Deputy will appreciate, it will be read a Second Time and it will go through the legislative process. We will do all that we can so that this will be expedited as quickly as possible.

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