Seanad debates

Tuesday, 2 December 2014

2:45 pm

Photo of Ivana BacikIvana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----that seeks to redress the sustained neglect over many years of building in the social housing sector, which has led us to the crisis we now are in. I thank the Leader for organising the debate.

I also commend the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, on her movement on the issue of junior cycle reform and her indication that she would be willing to engage further with teachers unions on the issue of capacity in particular. A huge consensus is building among parents, educators and school students on the need to ensure higher levels of school-based assessment in junior cycle reforms. It is highly unfortunate that teachers are out on strike today and that pupils are deprived of education for a day. I hope, as I am sure do all Members, for a resumption in negotiations between the Minister and the teachers' unions in short order to ensure there will not be a further day of strike action in the new year because it is important to recognise it in the interests of pupils to try to move towards a better system of junior cycle assessment.

Finally, I welcome the publication late last week of the heads of the sexual offences Bill and, in particular, those provisions dealing with the criminalisation of sex purchase, which members of the justice committee had recommended unanimously last year. I also commend the organisation, Facing Forward, which held a worthwhile and important seminar in Dublin Castle yesterday on the use of restorative justice in the context of sexual offences. It is something Members might consider building into the sexual offences Bill and I look forward to the debate on it when it comes before this House in the new year. I ask the Leader that, if possible, this Bill might commence its passage in this House.

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