Averil Power (Fianna Fail)

I will respond to the Minister's remarks about redeployment being required, by implication, by the troika and issues with our economic sovereignty. Redeployment is good in itself and work was started on it many years ago. It is important to acknowledge that often, when different education changes are being discussed in the House, there is a tendency to rely on the current economic environment as an excuse for everything, which is unfair. I met representatives of the troika with other members of my party when they were here some weeks ago. They made it very clear that provided the Government reaches the overall targets, the troika has not told any Department what must be delivered upon. It is important for people outside the House to see that not everything is being constantly blamed on the deal done with the IMF and EU. Rational issues such as this should be seen as they are, and the Minister has rightly pointed out that redeployment, with the appropriate safeguards, is an important part of an effective public sector.

I agree with the Minister on the section and I am reassured by the comments to the House regarding consultation and ensuring there is not a particular issue for Gaeltacht schools.