Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I very much welcome the Taoiseach's remarks over the past couple of days in terms of a referendum on Irish unity. For years, we in Sinn Féin have wanted a full conversation and discussion around what it would mean to have the reunification of our island. We are pleased that this is happening and, obviously, we will do everything to continue to lead that.

I welcome the initiative by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to include computer coding as part of the national school curriculum. Of course, it is 20 years late but better late than never. I have direct, on-the-ground experience of organising coding and programming workshops in Mayo for a number of years as co-ordinator of Iorras Le Chéile community development project. We ran an initiative whereby more than 50 children between the ages of eight and 13 gathered every Saturday to learn computer coding and programming under a local programmer and computer expert. The speed of learning and the depth of interest from the children of those ages was remarkable. However, as with many similar projects throughout the country, the funding was slashed and we could no longer continue.

The idea behind the project was that we would encourage a cohort of young people to go on to follow computer science and develop their coding and programming skills. This measure, in a remote rural area of the western seaboard, was an attempt to provide young people with the skills that would enable them to live and work in their own communities while, at the same time, working for companies based in Tokyo, New York and other major economic hubs throughout the world. It was also an attempt to prepare for opportunities presented by the transatlantic fibre-optic cable. I am calling on the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, to follow through on his intention to include coding and programming in the curriculum as a matter of urgency. This cannot be done, however, without a commitment of multi-annual funding, including that for computer hardware, connectivity and tuition. It should be done in full consultation with national school teachers and boards of management as well. In the interim, as a gesture of his intent, I call on the Minister to provide funding for projects similar to that run in Belmullet - on the western seaboard - which can then be amalgamated into local national schools.

I have been an long-time admirer of Louise O'Keeffe. She is a brilliant woman and an example of how individuals can overcome adversity and the absolute weight of Governments and institutions in order to get recognition. I very much welcome the fact that she will come to the House and lead us and guide us on what needs to be done.