Sharon Keogan (Independent)

I support what the Senator said 100%. Gender ideology should be kept out of education, particularly primary and post-primary education. There is only one thing I want to raise and that is the education of children in foster care and the disadvantage they face. Many children who go into foster care may not go into an emergency placement within their own jurisdiction. Very often, they are moved out of the county. Believe it or not, some of those children end up not going back into the education system for one or two years. Members might find that shocking, but I have had teenage children in my care who may not have been in school for about two years because they were being pushed on and on through the system and never found that forever home. That, and not keeping them in care, is the greatest shame.

A mileage allowance was granted to foster parents last year, and I welcomed that. However, I would get a child in school in Kildare or Wicklow, and it would be impossible for me to get him or her to school in Wicklow on a daily basis. It is not about the money. I just might not be able to spend four hours in a car every day to bring that child to school. This is something I would like the Minister of State to look at - to think of children in the foster care system who are not in continued education, particularly primary or secondary school. That is important.

The Minister left after 40 minutes. To be honest, I am so disappointed. I mean no disrespect to the Minister of State but even on Commencement Matters, we are finding that senior Ministers are not coming to the House to answer the questions Senators are putting before them. This is the first time we have had the chance to address the Minister on this very important Department. I am disappointed that she left the Chamber after 40 minutes. I had a question. I rarely bring up local politics in this Chamber. I do not think I have ever done it. I have done it four or five times since I came in here, and it was to do with a secondary school in my area. I am wondering where it is, but I will send a request to the Minister. I am disappointed that she left the Chamber after 40 minutes.