Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

Ireland comes high on the list, sixth out of 27, with 78% finding facilities satisfactory. Cyprus, Belgium, Finland are higher but the majority of countries are lower. The UK, our nearest neighbour, is at 62%, suggesting that we are not doing everything wrong. One of the good aspects of the Irish education system is that we pay our teachers a decent wage and give them social respect. It is not regarded as a downbeat, dead end job. Everybody recognises the social value of education.

I agree with Senator Hayes that while all parties need to be ambitious for education in terms of setting targets for the next five years, we should not make unrealistic promises. That only leads to disappointment. There should be a greater emphasis on physical education facilities. Children need and deserve them. Schools in rural areas will often have access to a field around the school in which children can play. However, we have not given enough attention to this issue. It has sometimes fallen between the two stools of the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. The Department of Education and Science should take responsibility for it, but in liaison with another Department. There is nothing wrong with Departments liaising.

Sometimes good school facilities, especially in small villages, can serve the community and there are cases where good community facilities can serve neighbouring schools. There is the example of a school in Clerihan, four miles outside Clonmel. The school is building a sports hall because the parents believe it is necessary. It is a new town that is growing exponentially. The parents are providing the sports hall from their own resources. They are not applying for Government aid because they know they will not get it.

I welcome this debate. It is always important to debate education.