Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister to the House. We have seen a lot of her in the House of late, which reflects the importance of her role and how equipped she is to handle it. Last week we discussed funding for third-level education and the reform of our medical schools. This week we are debating funding allocated to education through the Estimates, which has reached €7.2 billion for this year alone. That clearly indicates the Minister's commitment to education and her knowledge of the sector. I am inclined to discard my script because having listened to the Minister there is no point in saying what I had set out to state. The Minister herself has said it all and Senator O'Toole has acknowledged that in listening to the debate as it unfolded.

While the Opposition continues to focus on areas that are still being developed and where further growth may be needed in the educational sector, it is important to take a step back and examine how much has been achieved recently by the Minister and the Government. I would like to put those facts on the record. The Minister secured an increase of 8% in the education budget announced during the Estimates for 2006 in November — a rise of €530 million to bring the total budget to over €7.2 billion for this year. That says it all.

The Minister prioritised class sizes, special needs and the disadvantaged. I will put down my script at this stage and will talk from my knowledge of education. If we do not get it right for disadvantaged students we will have knock-on effects, including a breakdown of law and order involving dropouts and misfits in society. The Minister is correct in stating that resources must be used to reduce class sizes and deploy teachers who will deal with disadvantaged pupils. As she said, one can pump all the money one likes into various educational schemes but they will not work in the absence of home-school links and one-to-one contacts. Nobody is better placed than teachers who are qualified to acknowledge deficits in children's needs as they commence primary school education. That is where such deficiencies are picked up by highly qualified teachers who know how students are fitting into the classroom ambience.

Psychological services in schools must be streamlined and I think the Minister would acknowledge there are some inconsistencies. We will try to put that right. Home-school links, the psychological services and parents are critical elements in this regard but, as we all know, parents must be on side. If the main stakeholders in primary education — the principals, teachers, school management, parents and the psychological services — are working together we will have no problems when students move on to second level. There always was a problem in the transition from primary to secondary school but I know it is not there now, having discussed the matter with colleagues. There were gaps in the educational process because there was no follow-on or continuity between both levels. That situation has changed absolutely in recent years and I am glad to say that resources are being prioritised for that area. Our approach to the transition period between primary and second levels will reflect the future shape of our educational system. I acknowledge the Minister's statement in that regard.

The Minister also referred to special needs and in particular the role of special schools. I welcome her comments on that subject because too often in the past we disregarded students with special needs. Many parents felt that their sons or daughters with special needs should be in mainstream education but nine times out of ten it does not work. Teachers are well qualified to devote their attention and expertise to trying to bring these special needs students on board and give them an education. Very often, these students are highly intelligent but simply need the patience, commitment and expertise of the teachers. I welcome the resources being put into that area.

Class sizes must be reduced and the Minister has given a commitment to carry on reducing them. I see nothing wrong with splitting classes at primary level. That has always worked. It depends on attitudes of the boards of management and of teachers. It has worked where one would not have expected it to work, where substantial numbers were involved. It is all down to the philosophy, policy and attitudes of teachers.

The Minister has created 800 posts for helping non-nationals with language lessons. Clearly, the needs of students coming in from different countries must be met. As the Minister said, all children must be treasured and should be at the centre of our debate. It is great to see that not alone will the children have to be educated in English, but that their parents will learn English too. It is important this is acknowledged.

This is a good debate. I am delighted that Senator O'Toole tabled the motion and gave us and the Minister the opportunity to put the facts right, where they should be. The Senator has given me the opportunity to acknowledge the work the Minister is doing, that the Government is committed and to note where its priorities lie. Senator O'Toole did a good job for us tonight. We have given him the answers and I hope he will acknowledge them.