Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I welcome, as we all should, the decision announced by the Government at the weekend to invest millions of euro in research and development in third and fourth level education. I also welcomed it when it was announced in a broad sweep at the time of the budget. However, it is difficult to relate it to the group standing outside Leinster House today representing a 16 year old school with 250 pupils, which cannot get a school site or approval from the Department of Education and Science.

Education must begin at the first step of the ladder. If a successful and well-run school which is conducting its business properly, such as Gaelscoil Sáirséal in the Cathaoirleach's county of Limerick, cannot get support on these kinds of issues, there is no point going to the top deck. The Minister should explain to the House how we will have a run all the way through, so a viable school will get the support to which it is entitled.