Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy English, back to the House. This issue was brought to my attention by a constituent of mine who, to be fair, has engaged in further education in order to better herself, her prospects, her opportunities and her contribution to society. She finds herself caught between a rock and a hard place in terms of the existing career break structures. She is currently employed as a special needs assistant, SNA, in a school in County Clare and wishes to finalise her degree. Unfortunately, were she to do what is required in that regard she would have to take an unpaid career break and, more worryingly, would most likely have to resign her position.

I am asking for the relevant circular dealing with this kind of issue to be interpreted in a flexible manner. Each situation is unique. As a society, as a State, as a Department and as a Minister, we need to equip people to further their education. When people show good faith in doing so, exceptions can and should be made in certain circumstances. The criteria should be good faith and goodwill towards somebody demonstrates clearly that they have engaged in the education system in order to better themselves and improve their skillset. Once that is demonstrated, the Government and the Department of Education and Skills should be working with people in a positive manner to resolve problems they may find that the system, through bureaucratic necessities, has created. I want to see a positive disposition from the Department, where it will look at an individual case in its totality. Where bureaucracy is becoming an impediment to somebody bettering themselves, that bureaucracy should be looked at in a looser fashion, whereby the individual concerned would be able to finish her studies without it having a negative impact on her present employment. Who would give up a job, with the security that brings, to take a leap into the unknown? Although this person will be better qualified when she has finished her degree, she will not necessarily get a job. We all know that one requires a job to live and to play an active role in society. It is a complex and difficult situation, but I hope the Minister might be able to identify some flexibility so that this person will be able to achieve her goals.