Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I support the call for a debate on what our public broadcaster provides. The State funds RTE and there is a need to debate what we, as a country, get in return for that funding from, say, TV3?

Like other speakers, I, too, called yesterday for a debate with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn. On this occasion, I seek a debate with him on the Economic and Social Research Institute study "Growing up in Ireland" which addresses issues such as quality of education, differences between schools and the differences between teaching and learning depending on the social class of a school and on gender. It would be a little naive of us not to think there are differences between schools: there are huge differences between schools. Even children know there are differences between schools. Children learn differently, one size does not fit all and it is right that there should be a difference in approach depending on the child. Moreover, the teacher must be trusted to deliver that. However, I agree there should be broad guidelines in respect of core subjects such as mathematics and I strongly support active methods on foot of the significant body of evidence on that.

I have an allied question for the Deputy Leader. This is a serious matter that she should confirm and should put to the Minister, Deputy Quinn. Is there truth in the rumour that it is the INTO agenda that is driving the changes in, and the cuts to, small rural schools? I consider this to be a highly serious charge that must be debated. The pupil-teacher ratio always has been a plank of the INTO, of which I was a member previously and am an associate member at present. However, I state clearly there is far more evidence to support the proposition that what counts is the quality of teaching and learning. I am sure Senator Jim D'Arcy would support me in this regard.