Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Aithním go bhfuil difríochta ann ach ní gá go mbeadh ranganna níos lú acu toisc go bhfuil siad ag na Gaelscoileanna. Ba chóir féachaint orthu ar aonchéim leis na scoileanna eile ina bhfuil daoine ón iasacht ag teacht isteach.

Tá mé bródúil as an méadú atá tagtha ar na Gaelscoileanna. Tá ar a laghad Gaelscoil amháin i ngach contae in Éirinn. Sin dul chun cinn a dhéanfaidh maith don Ghaeilge. Tá an Ghaeltacht tar éis athrú agus bogadh ó iarthar na tíre go dtí na cathracha. Tá an Ghaeilge níos láidre i nDún Laoghaire ná mar atá i gContae Mhaigh Eo. Tá scoileanna ina bhfuil an Ghaeilge níos láidre agus na tuismitheoirí lasmuigh ag labhairt Gaeilge freisin.

Tá an-tacaíocht á tabhairt anois ach tá fadhbanna le múineadh na Gaeilge. Tá mé ag díriú air sin. Tá sé láidir go leor sna bunscoileanna ach tá deacrachtaí leis an chóras sna meánscoileanna. Déanann na múinteoirí bunscoile a gcuid ar son na Gaeilge ach b'fhéidir gur chóir níos mó béime a chur uirthi mar theanga labhartha ar scoil.

I was supposed to speak for 15 minutes but I am enthusiastic about my brief and there is so much to talk about.

Senators will accept that the priorities have become special education, disadvantage and resources aimed at non-national students. The Government has increased the number of primary school teachers by 5,000 and increased the support for schools. The Government has commenced the reduction of the mainstream class sizes and the capital infrastructure of schools has been improved. This has been achieved in a spirit of partnership with all the bodies and partners involved in education. This is the best way to continue. Everyone will recognise the progress that has been made and continues to be made. The Government is committed to ensuring that the high standard of education in primary schools continues to be of the same high quality it has been for the past 100 years.