Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Priorities change, as Senator Fitzgerald will agree, so we must change our objectives. The Minister should meet the education community and explain that priorities have changed, a commitment was given and that she now seeks to agree a new commitment. Senator John Paul Phelan explained why mixed and split classes, like shared jobs and split jobs, are different and we must examine why this is done. Splitting classes involves separating pupils who have built up a dynamic since junior infants class

I have some sympathy with the Minister's point on the use of teachers within schools so I will not address it. Regarding language support teachers, the Minister is correct in stating she has appointed 800 teachers. This is not enough and though no one is blaming the Minister this must be examined. Senator Brian Hayes issued a statement on this matter during the week.

Three times in her speech the Minister stated that disadvantage cannot be addressed entirely in school. Although it involves the family and the community, the pupils of today will be the families and communities in that area tomorrow. They will still be disadvantaged if we do not intervene. If we do not break the cycle of deprivation, underprivileged and disadvantage we will experience it forever. One of the most effective places to break this is at school level and this is where money should be allocated.

I thank the Minister for her contribution and look forward to getting more done.