Seanad debates

Wednesday, 7 March 2007

Education System: Motion (Resumed)

 

3:00 pm

Photo of Feargal QuinnFeargal Quinn (Independent)

I thank Senator O'Toole for sharing time. I congratulate Fine Gael on tabling the motion on a very worthy topic. I cannot support the motion for precisely the reason Senator O'Toole outlined. I believe that the Minister should not go. I understand from those working in education that there is a hope that she will stay and will not be promoted after the general election. I believe she is probably the best Minister for Education and Science we have had for a long time. As I believe she should stay, I will not support the motion.

However, I agree with the long list of actions not being taken as outlined in the motion. We have a long way to go to get so many other things done. The concentration on special needs must place heavy emphasis on intellectual disability. Today I attended a launch by the National Institute of Intellectual Disability, which covers intellectual disability at all levels, including primary, secondary and now an institute in Trinity College. It is a joy to see the achievements of people who never had the chance to be educated at that level because of their intellectual disability.

Yesterday saw the publication of the latest report from the expert group on future skills need. In spite of the extra funding mentioned by Senator Fitzgerald, there is no way that we will get anywhere near the requirements by 2020. Taking a long-term approach the Minister has considerably more to do. We are seriously under-investing in our education system. In spite of the increase in recent times, the Minister needs to convince her Cabinet colleagues that we need to invest considerably more. We must take a long-term view. The responsibility is on us, the legislators, and on the present Government to look to the future. Given the predicted skill shortage by 2020 in spite of the considerable investments, we need to do more otherwise all the work the Minister has been doing and for which she deserves credit will be lost.

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