Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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Gabhaim buíochas as an deis seo a labhairt ar an díospóireacht seo anocht. I will be brief and, with some leeway from the Cathaoirleach, will contribute again when the Minister concludes.

It was suggested to me locally, including at a meeting at which Government Deputies were present, that as a matter of policy the Minister for Education and Skills did not visit schools and that as such, there was no point in even inviting him to the school in which the meeting was being held. Subsequently, I heard second hand that the same issue had arisen for another school. Is there such a policy and, if so, what is the rationale for it and will it be continued? After I have heard the Minister's remarks, I might respond.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The tradition is for the Minister for Education and Skills to be invited to open a new school. However, I hold the view that a community should celebrate a new school's opening - possibly the continuation of a school tradition - by inviting a prominent person from that community. It reflects a centrist attitude among schools that their only relationship is with the Department of Education and Skills. Furthermore, some of my predecessors spent a considerable amount of time visiting schools for no particular benefit in the sense of not being present in the Department to progress legislation and the necessary works that required ministerial involvement. We have a sizable reform programme that requires a great deal of time and attention. This is my priority, but I have not, as a matter of policy, decided that I will not visit schools. The record will show that I have visited a number.

I have a diary meeting once a week and it takes me an hour and a half to go through all of the requests received to visit schools, attend functions or engage in other activities, some of which relate to education remotely, while some are centrally related, for example, meeting groups involved in education. I visit schools, attend functions and engage in other types of activity, some of it remotely related to education and other elements of it centrally related to education, including meeting groups involved in education. I have to ration my time as best I can.

Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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I note the Minister's comments. However, what he said makes liars of various rural Deputies who say, when requests are made indirectly through them, that the Minister does not visit schools. I accept the Minister's statement that he does visit schools and that he has not visited as many as he would like. I put it to him that it is crucial that he visits a reasonable number of schools and that he is aware of what is happening on the ground.

Several smaller schools are anxious that the Minister visit them to see how they operate. That would be beneficial. The special school in Navan which was keen on a visit by the Minister was told that he does not visit schools. I was present when that was told to them by a Deputy. I will inform them of what the Minister had to say today.

As correctly stated by the Minister, it is important in terms of developing national policy, that practical knowledge be applied. It is a big occasion for a community when a Minister for education visits a school. I recall former Minister, Ms Gemma Hussey, visited the primary school I attended and former Minister, Mrs. Mary O'Rourke visited the secondary school I attended. I encourage the Minister to visit as many schools as possible. I thank him for his clarification on this issue.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I visit some schools. I do not want the impression conveyed that I have made a liar out of anybody. I could spend three days a week visiting schools. How do I decide which schools to visit? I do not see my function as one of visiting schools, except where doing so is necessary or appropriate. I have on occasion been asked to visit a school and open a new extension and have referred such invitation to a senior party or Government colleague from the constituency concerned, which I believe is appropriate. In so far as this applies, that will continue to be my policy.