Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Doherty's comments on class sizes and the Government's reneging on commitments to reducing primary school class sizes over the terms of the past two Governments. It is time to have a debate on the issue. I would like to broaden it somewhat to cover other issues.

A number of calls have been made today for a debate on alcohol. It is time to have a debate on young people's social personal and health habits, encompassing binge drinking of alcohol and the issue of suicide. Last week a report indicated that one-tenth of teenagers admit to self-harming, which is a very serious statistic. Two weeks ago I published a study which showed that 16% of 16 year olds admit to feeling disillusioned, with no life purpose and no goals. Some 40% indicated that young people are attracted to drugs and binge drinking because of peer pressure. According to them they do it "because my friends do". It is time to have a serious debate on the broader issue of social personal and health habits, including considering an integrated set of solutions involving the Ministers for Health and Children, Education and Science, and Justice, Equality and Law Reform. We also need to consider the crucial issue of parenting. Where are the parents of these young people aged 14, 15 and 16 when they are out at night? Under what remit is that problem considered?

I support Senator Alex White's request for a debate on racism and the promotion of interculturalism in our classrooms. I was present at a school this morning and another yesterday. I see many newcomer students from other countries in our classrooms. I am amazed at their resilience and ability to cope. However, they are struggling with the language. The model of language support being used to immerse them into this setting is not working. Two hours of language support each week is inadequate. These children are sitting lost in science and history classes. The poor teachers are getting one day's training to deal with the issue, which is totally inadequate. The Minister for Education and Science along with the Minister of State with responsibility for integration should consider a better model to integrate students into education and community.Is there any means whereby a number of Ministers can address a topic in this House? Many issues, such as alcohol and racism, are complex and do not fall within the portfolio of one Department. How can we get an integrated response from the Cabinet on such matters?