Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

The structures are in place but I suggest to the Minister, regarding joined-up thinking, that some loose ends need to be tidied up. There are fast growing areas and Balbriggan is a model on which the Minister can speak at length because it is an example of how we should move forward.

There may have been discrimination in fast growing areas where there was a shortage of school places and, perhaps, an ethos prevailed that saw Catholic students gaining preferential access. I can understand concerns in this regard but such matters come under the remit of the Equal Status Act 2000. It is important that extra school places be created and the Government is committed to achieving this goal. Significant investment has been made in this regard to ensure nobody is denied access to education.

I do not favour the suggested convention because I believe we should keep the existing structures and tidy them. Better joined-up thinking will help us work together to ensure school access for all children of schoolgoing age. It is possible to make this work using the existing structures.