Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I did not expect to be called; I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence. I concur with the call from my colleague, Senator Healy-Eames, that we would have an urgent debate on education. I had calls from the principal of the local secondary school in Athlone yesterday and his main concern is in regard to teacher substitution. Come next January, when people are suffering from influenza and so on, there could be up to six teachers absent without certification. He does not know what he is to do. He said that the only option will be to send children home. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister to come into the House as a matter of urgency to allow us discuss that very serious issue. These are our children and we cannot allow them to be sent home because there is nobody available to teach them.