Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

If the Senator reads the script again, he will see that at no stage was it ever suggested that gaelscoileanna were not inclusive. It was indicated that it is apparent that the achievements of gaelscoileanna pupils are higher than those of pupils who are not exclusively from gaelscoileanna. The point was also made that if gaelscoileanna are inclusive, they take into account children from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Where there is disadvantage in the home, it is essential the children develop the English language from a very early age. To have 100% Gaeilge spoken in the absence of English would be a detrimental step for such children, which is underlined very clearly in the response from the Minister.