Pádraig Ó Céidigh (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I say fair play to Senator Lawless. Not only that, and it has not just been him, but other Irish people who live abroad and all over the world back each other up. Sometimes I ask the following question. Could we not back each other up a bit more here on this island? It is for that reason I believe I can work with everybody here in the Seanad and I hope that everybody here can work with me. It is not really Seanad reform that I seek. I want it re-invented, which goes a little deeper than reform, because we can and we will make a difference. For me the measurement for whatever length of time I am in the Seanad, will be by asking myself what little contribution did I make and did we make as a group to make a real difference. I ask the Cathaoirleach to invite the Minister for Education and Skills to the House to address two issues. The first is the drop-out rate at third level, with many people who do their leaving certificate and go on to third level dropping out within 12 months. In some third level institutions the rate is 25% while in others it is around 12%. That is a huge loss to the economy and the country and I would like to know why it is happening and what can be done about it.

The second issue relating to education, about which a number of people have contacted me, albeit not recently but in the middle and more distant past, is the level of depression and stress among secondary school children. This is significant in the context of depression in adult life. Teachers, particularly career guidance teachers, should be supported and equipped to deal with this in the first instance. I would appreciate it if we could invite the Minister to address the House in that regard.