John Whelan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I, too, add my commendation to the Minister for Education and Skills and express support for him in this creative and bold move. I hope it will receive the broad-based support Senator Quinn mentioned from the stakeholders within the education sector to radically reform the junior certificate. I noted the Senator's comments but am not sure if a course that teaches Kerry people how to make money is actually necessary. Other colleagues made some excellent observations in good faith, such as Senator Coghlan on physical well-being. When he attends the House next week I will ask the Minister to include mental health and coping skills as something to be embedded properly into the curriculum. We have a generation of young people who, for one reason or another, find themselves under extraordinary stress and strain. This manifests itself in communities throughout the country, unfortunately, with one tragedy after another wreaked upon families and friends on a daily and weekly basis. This is not just important: we must prepare young people for life rather than just for exams. Mental health and coping skills should be part of the curriculum of the new junior certificate cycle. It is important that nobody leaves school without being able to read and write but neither should anybody leave school without knowing how to drive a car properly, swim and prepare three basic meals. These are the fundamental life skills that would give a good foundation to young people leaving school.

There is a matter that the Cathaoirleach raised repeatedly in good faith and with conviction. I second the proposal by Senator Ó Domhnaill that we call on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, to initiate an immediate investigation into what happened at the pilot training school in Waterford. The cadet pilots were informed yesterday by the liquidator that they will not get one penny back of the ¤80,000 they invested in their careers and education. I do not wish to impugn anybody's reputation and we want to give fair call to people but it seems mysterious that a new company magically mushroomed overnight within hours of the previous company being put into liquidation. We must hear from the Irish Aviation Authority and the Minister whether any of the principals who were involved in the debacle of the Waterford school are involved in the new training school and if any of the same investors are involved there. If it had any hand, act or part in the previous school it should not get a licence to operate. Injustice has been visited on these young cadet pilots and anybody responsible should not be allowed to walk away from the wreckage and start afresh the next day.