Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)

I thank Deputy Jen Cummins for the great work she has put into this. I oppose the Government's amendment, which is so disappointing given that these are really practical and strong recommendations that we believe can bring to life the parental choice we are all seeking in the education system.

This is a rights issue for me. I was in Geneva in 2016 in my previous work in the human rights space at the examination of Ireland under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. In between sessions, one gets a chance to talk to the committee members. The jaws of these experts were literally on the ground when they heard about the figures for school patronage in this country - that there was so little choice for people who simply did not wish to have education provided to their children in a Catholic setting. This is something I have carried with me into this role.

My constituency of Dublin Rathdown has nearly 3,000 children in multidenominational primary schools out of a total of 13,500, which is nearly 20%. For comparison, about 1,500 are taught through Irish, which is about 10%. That choice level is way above the national average and yet still I receive constant calls from parents who are so frustrated that they cannot find an educational setting that matches with their values, ideologies and choices. I will talk about my personal experience in this regard. When I raised my daughter as a single parent, I came to second-level education choices with two clear asks. I wanted her to remain in a coeducational setting, which she had enjoyed in primary school, and I wanted her to enjoy multidenominational or interdenominational education. We are both atheists.

I had two options available, one fee-paying and one non fee-paying. We applied for both, but it did not look like we were going to be accepted to the non fee-paying option so we signed up for the fee-paying option. We bought uniforms, picked subjects and planned everything. Three weeks before the start of school, my daughter was accepted to the non fee-paying school. That changed our lives. It was the reason I was able to leave the corporate sector. As a single mum who was paying a mortgage, the crippling fees I was expected to pay to one of the highest fee-paying schools in the country would have meant I was unable to leave that job and pursue what I wanted, which was public service and human rights and equality work. Parents and children should not have to lobby and campaign for schools that meet their needs and provide that choice.

Le fada tá an Roinn Oideachais tar éis an dualgas a chur ar thuismitheoirí a chruthú go bhfuil éileamh do scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge agus troid ar son oideachas dá bpáistí. Is cúis díomá é dom go bhfuil an dualgas céanna á chur ar thuismitheoirí atá ag iarraidh oideachas neamhchreidmheach

We have a clear target to meet of 400 multidenominational and interdenominational schools by 2030. We are behind, but it is not too late. Parents and children should be free to seek an education which aligns with their values. That must become a reality for parents and children who do not want religious education in school. As my story shows, and as is the case for many parents up and down the country, having choices opens up lives to new possibilities and options. They must be real choices. We cannot limit those options through a lack of availability, means or action from those making educational policy.

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