Liam Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus is mian liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh léi ar a ceapachán mar Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta. Guím rath ar a cuid oibre. I warmly welcome the Minister and congratulate her on her elevation to the Ministry of Education and Science. I have no doubt but that her Ministry will be a testament to a great commitment to education. She has tremendous experience in education and many insights based on a long career both here in Leinster House and in the educational field in the past. She is passionately committed to education. I know this as I had the privilege of spending a few years with her on an educational forum in another place.

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following:

"confirms the decision to close St. Catherine's College by concentrating the provision of home economics teacher training in St. Angela's College, Sligo; and rejects the contention that this decision by the previous Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Noel Dempsey, was made as a result of political interference."

The issue before us is the decision to close the college of education for the training of home economics teachers and to concentrate its provision in one campus in Sligo instead of both Dublin and Sligo, as was the case prior to the decision. There are three fundamental questions at issue. Is the decision in pursuit of educational excellence? Is it good value for money? What are the implications for staff and students? The controversy that has surrounded the decision relates to the reasons for closure, the manner of the announcement, regarding which there is sensitivity, and the withholding of a consultant's report by the FOI unit of the Department of Education and Science.

The decision to close St. Catherine's College and consolidate the provision in St. Angela's in Sligo was made on its merits. I am quite clear on this having examined all the facts and documentation. The closure of any college with a long and noble tradition of service to education is regrettable at any time. As a Dublin politician, I regret the closure of a college in Dublin, as I am sure do all my Dublin colleagues. The proud record of achievement of St. Catherine's, Sion Hill, is legendary. It was founded in 1910 and served the country well and with great distinction over many generations thereafter. Its highly-qualified graduates brought the science and skills of home economics to every corner of Ireland, mainly, although not exclusively, through our second level schools.

I pay special tribute to the Dominican congregation and the staff who worked in the college down through the years for the invaluable legacy they have bequeathed to the country over successive generations. That mantle will now have to be carried exclusively by St. Angela's College in Sligo. Given its track record to date, I have no doubt that it will fully justify the confidence the Government has placed in it to do the job required of it.

The decision to concentrate the provision of home economics teacher training in one campus was not taken lightly by the former Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Noel Dempsey. It followed a long process of meetings, consultations, reviews and investigations——