Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)

As a teacher for 20 years and an SET múinteoir for ten, I have seen at first hand the power of education to break down barriers for children. From my own experience of growing up in Ireland's education system, I know how one good teacher can change a child's life, nurturing confidence, curiosity and a sense of belonging. This is especially true for those without much support at home. I thank the teachers of Ireland, many of whom go above and beyond, often at a significant personal cost, to ensure that every child has a chance to realise their potential.

It is thanks to their dedication that there is any truth to the idea that education is a great leveller. Nonetheless, our teachers are woefully undervalued. Too many are stuck in part-time or temporary roles, with job insecurity and a two-tier pay scale still in place. It is unsustainable and, as a result, many of our talented teachers are leaving the profession and going abroad. There are roughly 8,000 of our best and brightest young teachers in the Gulf countries, no doubt because of the cost of living crisis, which has evidently not gone away despite Government claims to the contrary.

We also know the right environment is crucial to a child's learning and development. Right now, schools across the State are chronically underfunded, capitation grants have not kept pace with inflation and schools are struggling to cover basics, such as heating and electricity. That is not a world-class system.

Ba mhaith liom a lua freisin go bhfuil sé de cheart ag gach páiste oideachas a fháil trí mheán na Gaeilge, ceart nach bhfuil á chomhlíonadh faoi láthair. I mo Dháilcheantar féin, i gCill Dara Theas, tá an baol ann go mbeidh ar Naíonra Uí Shionnaigh dúnadh an bhliain seo chugainn de bharr easpa maoinithe. Tá an t-éileamh do luathoideachas lánGhaeilge ag fás ach níl an naíonra incháilithe don scéim rialtais. Éilím go dtabharfaí aird ar an gcás faoi leith seo agus go gcinnteofar go bhfuil an tseirbhís ríthábhachtach seo in ann leanúint ar aghaidh. I have brought up Naíonra Uí Shionnaigh here before. I have written to Minister, Deputy Foley's Department. I am really pleading with the Minister for help in saving Naíonra Uí Shionnaigh. That is 33 places Kildare South cannot afford to lose but the right to an education trí mheán na Gaeilge is also so important.

As I stand here, it is ironic that we are speaking about a world-class education system when the truth is that, come September, children still will not have a school place or will be placed in an inappropriate school setting that does not meet their needs.

Yesterday, I spoke with a principal in a primary school in Newbridge. He has been pleading with the Department for years to sanction a special class but he is rightfully insisting on a grant for a properly furnished appropriate space and he has been refused time and time again. They need future-proof facilities, not a quick-fix solution which will drain resources down the line.

Thousands more are waiting for therapies that are essential to their learning. Just today, the Ombudsman for Children published a report confirming cases of children still being subjected to repressive and traumatic practices of seclusion in our schools. I welcome the move to ban this and I urge the Government to ensure the ban is properly enforced.

See this speech in context