Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat. Over the coming months, the Department of Education, with other education agencies and partners and other Departments and State agencies, will work to develop tangible actions informed by the recommendations set out in the OECD review. This will include consultation with school communities and St. Patrick's National School in Shercock would be very welcome to participate in this process. These actions will aim to build on the success of the DEIS programme, which, as the Deputy knows, is a key achievement of Fianna Fáil in government whereby we have laid down strong foundations. Nevertheless, he is correct. The country needs us to move forward, adapt to the changes and bring forward enhanced policies to reflect the changing Ireland. I fully agree with the Deputy and have no doubt that, if he returns to the Dáil, this will be a top priority of his as well.

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