Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I support the call by Senator Brian Hayes for a debate on the PPARS system and the role of consultants. I am personally aware of a director of nursing in Carlow who retired over it because it was so unworkable. She was continually told that nurses on night time duty had to stop work at 4 a.m. and all her protestations and representations on the issue were ignored. I am also aware of a major factory in Carlow that used this system worldwide. While it has had some teething difficulties, the company has not spent €70 million on a consultant's report on it and it has worked well for tens of thousands of employees. There is certainly a big contrast between the private and public sectors on this issue.

I also agree with Senator Terry regarding the issue of children being left at school, an issue I raised previously. The fact that children are left off at schools before the official school starting time and kept at schools after school officially ends is a serious issue about which there appear to be no clear guidelines. I have put down questions and have raised the matter on the Adjournment. The answer we always receive is that it is a legal issue and depending on every case, a decision will be reached. It is time that the Minister for Education and Science came off the fence and gave clear guidelines to both teachers, schools and parents who must leave children in school before the official start time because it is unfair on everyone involved.