Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

In light of comments by Senator Corrigan yesterday and the comments of an eminent person working in the disability sector, Ms Deirdre Carroll of Inclusion Ireland this morning, I ask the Leader to invite the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Devins, for a debate on the inspection of residential homes for vulnerable children with disabilities. It is startling that it is 13 years since Inclusion Ireland called for the introduction of a national standard of inspection of residential centres, which has not been established. I ask that this be placed on the agenda urgently. It is a matter of grave concern to those working in the sector and to parents.

In support of Senator O'Toole's views on Government's U-turn on education, I ask that we revisit the education debate. The Minister attended the House before the budget but the landscape has changed since then. The commitment on class sizes has been rolled back, the commitment to the summer work scheme has been lost and it is imperative to have a debate on education.