Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

I note the Minister's comments. However, what he said makes liars of various rural Deputies who say, when requests are made indirectly through them, that the Minister does not visit schools. I accept the Minister's statement that he does visit schools and that he has not visited as many as he would like. I put it to him that it is crucial that he visits a reasonable number of schools and that he is aware of what is happening on the ground.

Several smaller schools are anxious that the Minister visit them to see how they operate. That would be beneficial. The special school in Navan which was keen on a visit by the Minister was told that he does not visit schools. I was present when that was told to them by a Deputy. I will inform them of what the Minister had to say today.

As correctly stated by the Minister, it is important in terms of developing national policy, that practical knowledge be applied. It is a big occasion for a community when a Minister for education visits a school. I recall former Minister, Ms Gemma Hussey, visited the primary school I attended and former Minister, Mrs. Mary O'Rourke visited the secondary school I attended. I encourage the Minister to visit as many schools as possible. I thank him for his clarification on this issue.