Seanad debates

Thursday, 30 May 2013

11:10 am

Photo of Rónán MullenRónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to follow what Senator Colm Burke has said in respect of the publication of the report of the Joint Committee on Health and Children. I am not a member of the committee, but having been involved in the hearings on abortion I reckon the external consultant auditor, Michael O'Sullivan, seems to have done a very fair job in summarising the diverse points of view that were heard. I remain of the view that it was a decidedly flawed process. I do not believe it is possible for people each with bursts of three minutes at a time to engage in anything like the necessary scrutiny, but certainly credit is due to all those who came in and gave of their time. As one of the non-members of the committee who took part throughout the three days I was grateful that other non-members of the committee were present and able to do so as well.

I rise to support an Seanadóir Trevor Ó Clochartaigh maidir le lorg na díospóireachta faoi na scoileanna faoin tuath. It is important that we have the debate now because it appears the value-for-money audit of rural schools is on the Minister's desk. There is an area of concern to me which I have discussed with several primary school teachers and principals and which is relevant in the context of the current debate about child care. What is the position of schools in which there is only one teacher from the point of view of child protection and child safety? Teachers in one-teacher schools believe themselves to be in a vulnerable position in that scenario given that we are all rightly conscious now of having appropriate procedures to prevent harm in light of all that has gone on in this country and all that has been revealed in recent decades. I sense, and I am told, that teachers in one-teacher schools do not get constructive answers when they talk to Government about their concerns. It is something I would welcome an opportunity to discuss if the Leader is in a position to arrange a debate about the future of rural schools, which I strongly support. They contribute in a major way to the fabric of life in the country. We should always go the extra distance to preserve the quality of life in rural areas and I believe our rural schools are a major part of that. I raise the particular issue of child protection because it is a concern to many people who find themselves as teachers on their own in these schools.

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