Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank both the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy James Reilly, for contributing to this debate. When a cross-departmental issue is debated, it is good there is more than one Minister in the House and that the different Departments take an interest in it. I thank all my colleagues who voiced their support for the Bill. I am delighted this will not go to a vote or that there are any major objections to it.

Both Ministers raised some issues, of which I was aware, about how the Bill is currently drafted. However, we all agree the basis for the Bill is there. I look forward to moving this on to Committee Stage. I agree that before that, consultation is necessary between all stakeholders, namely the schools, employers and young people. I am delighted the next Dáil na nÓg will be debating this issue and look forward to its recommendations on it.

The Minister for Education and Skills raised a valid point about the issue of making supports available for those students with challenging behaviour to ensure they will remain in school. There is also the point about the onus being on schools to maintain those students. It is important we ensure all the supports necessary are on hand and available for them. I know from speaking to people involved in the school completion programme how important it is to ensure the resources and funding are in place. Last weekend, I was speaking to people about the cuts which have been made in the programme. It is vital these students are supported and the funding remains available for them.

I commend the Bill to the House and look forward to taking Committee Stage in the near future.