Seanad debates

Thursday, 18 June 2009

11:00 am

Photo of Ann OrmondeAnn Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I would welcome very much a debate on the management of our schools and whether they should be Stated-oriented or under the domain of the religious. I have no difficulty with holding such a debate and the jury is out on which is preferable. There should be a detailed analysis of the boards of management which control schools and of whether they should be controlled by teachers or parents. There are many issues which must be teased out. I have scanned articles in the newspapers related to the percentage that seek State control but I do not take that view. The debate is very serious because many issues must be taken into consideration. We should not decide flippantly that this is the way the system should be run. A debate in this area is very important.

The matter of reform of the public service has been aired and whether there should be cutbacks in pay. I seek an examination of the terms of reference for the work of those concerned, how it is performed and whether it should be nine to five or take-home work. All such issues must be examined in terms of reform and I would welcome a debate on these two issues.

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