Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

Is the Minister for Education and Science aware of the plans of two primary schools in a well-off area of Cork city to hire a teacher privately and to levy parents to achieve that? This is a really serious development. It widens the gap between rich and poor as public education becomes a two-tier system. This is the result of cutbacks and will further institutionalise educational disadvantage. This plan will hit parents hard from 1 September when they will have to pay because they know the value of education. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Education and Science to respond to that question for me and this House prior to our summer break which will begin in two weeks? I would appreciate if the Leader could bring the Minister's answer back here.

I strongly support Senator O'Toole's remarks about the importance of keeping the Ryan report on the agenda. This is a history of shame in our nation and many continue to suffer. The Seanad should play an active role in ensuring the recommendations of the Ryan report are implemented. I would be prepared to put my shoulder to the wheel if the Seanad considers forming a sub-committee to ensure the recommendations are implemented so that these human atrocities never happen again.