Liam Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail)

I support calls for a debate on whole school assessment for a number of reasons, mainly the ongoing media publication of selective information about the performance of schools which is the most damaging development in this area. A recent court decision, to which previous speakers referred, is a further reason to have a debate. I understand 19 pilot projects are under way in this area, mainly in primary schools but also in secondary schools. The completion of one such project was publicised last week and pro and contra views were expressed on it.

A wider issue arises as to the right to know of parents and students and their rights to have the maximum amount of information made available to them in a balanced and constructive manner. The attitude I have encountered is that the Minister was correct to tackle this issue in the first instance because it was inevitable, given ongoing developments, that it would have to be faced. I would welcome a debate as soon as it is deemed appropriate by the Minister and the Leader so we can hear the Minister's proposals, possibly of an interim nature, as to what structured format will eventually emerge for making the maximum amount of information available to students and parents about the performance of schools. The debate should also examine how we do our business in and obtain value for money from our school structures.

Everybody welcomes the initiative announced by Trinity College, to which Senators referred. It is laudable that a college, which in the past has wrongly been referred to as exclusive, is reaching out more meaningfully to the community. It is welcome that the college is targeting non-traditional students.

DCU has introduced many initiatives in this regard since its establishment as a university. A number of centres on the north side of Dublin promote the intake of students in that category in DCU. I am glad Senator McDowell stated the Ministers must face up to the issue of university funding. The issue has been debated previously but further elaboration on it would be welcome. I look forward to the Senator's comments in this regard.