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Opening Statement – Norma Foley, TD, Minister for Education 12 October, 2022 – check against delivery Cathoirleach, At the outset I want to thank you for the invitation to be here this evening to address the variety of issues you have set out.

As we meet here this evening, I am deeply conscious, as I know Committee members are, of the recent terrible tragedy in Donegal.
Words cannot describe the immensity of the loss that has been and will continue to be felt by the community of Creeslough and by all those who have lost a family member or loved one.

These are incredibly difficult days for those affect, and they remain in our thoughts.

As Minister for Education, I would like to offer my sympathy to all the families who have lost a loved one and the school communities who are mourning the loss of much loved pupils.
I would also like to acknowledge the role which every school in the 1 area has played in supporting their students, families, and staff through this event which none of them could ever have envisioned.

Schools are central to their communities, and I know that each of these schools has shown remarkable strength, compassion, and support for their school communities.

Thank you for all that you have done, all that you are doing and all that you will do in the days, months and years ahead.
The committee has indicated that they would like to discuss a range of issues in today’s session, each of which I will briefly address.

In regard to Senior Cycle redevelopment, the Committee will be aware that at the end of March I announced an ambitious programme for a reimagined Senior Cycle which has the best interest of students at its core.

In the education system, we must always serve the interests of the students.
In respect of Senior Cycle, it is evident that while the present system has many advantages, there is a clear need for change.

At the most basic level, the present Leaving Certificate does not recognise, develop or indeed celebrate the very diverse talents that our students have.
As the Committee is undoubtedly aware, a very 2 significant body of work was undertaken over a course of four years by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, in conjunction with bodies such as the OECD and education stakeholders, which has very much informed the programme of reform which is now underway.

I want to thank the Committee for its valuable and wide-ranging report in respect of Senior Cycle, which indeed aligns with the work that has commenced in the Department.
I want to acknowledge again the excellent work in Cork Life Centre and the dedication of the Director and his team, in providing a vital pathway for young people who have encountered difficulties completing mainstream education.

I visited the centre in June and had the privilege of meeting with some of their students, parents and staff, seeing all of their invaluable work first-hand.
3 The review of out of school education provision has moved now to a working group, chaired by former City of Dublin ETB CEO Jacinta Stewart.

This working group will work with stakeholders to develop a sustainable pathway for the alternative education sector, one which reflects the value and importance of the sector.

The level of funding currently provided to Cork Life Centre will continue until such time as the recommendations of the report are implemented.
The Committee has also flagged the issue of bullying in schools.

I agree that further work is needed in the area of bullying prevention and it is for this reason that I have established a Steering Committee to review the 2013 Action Plan on Bullying.

The review is taking account of the significant developments and relevant research since the current action plan was published in 2013.
I have been advised that the Steering Committee aims to have their work completed by the end of November and I look forward to receiving its recommendations.
4 In terms of teacher supply a number of important actions have been taken including:  the over 3,400 primary and post-primary newly qualified teachers this year;  the expansion of the primary substitute teacher supply panels;  170 teachers are expected to graduate from upskilling programmes in Spanish, mathematics and physics this year and it is expected that over 300 teachers will graduate in 2023; and,  3rd and 4th year student teachers can now register with the Teaching Council.
Job sharing and career break arrangements have been relaxed for the current school year and my Department is in ongoing engagement with the school management bodies on possible further measures.

5 My Department is undertaking numerous initiatives to make teaching attainable to those from diverse backgrounds.

In particular, the Teaching Transforms campaign is promoting the teaching profession uses digital social radio and video media and is supported by a dedicated webpage.
The campaign highlights the importance of diversity in the classroom and has featured student teachers from backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in teaching.

Finally, in respect of school libraries, the €20m grant funding provided earlier this year provides access to more and better reading opportunities for children and young adults, across all school-going ages and reading abilities.
In order to assist schools in spending their grant funding, my department officials have collaborated with the public library service in order to provide specific tailored support measures and resources.

The development of a new Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy is underway which seeks to further enhance the literacy and 6 Numeracy skills of all our learners.

The development is underpinned by extensive research and consultation.
The consultation will include engagement with relevant stakeholders to include the Library Service, Library Association and JCSP libraries.

The new Strategy will be published in early 2023.

In conclusion, as I said at the outset, there is significant work being advanced right across the Department and school sector generally.
I am proud to have secured at Budget time ground-breaking investments in our education system, furthering the work of recent years in reducing class sizes, reducing costs for families, tackling disadvantage and supporting the achievement of all our students.

The introduction of a new scheme to provide free books for all students in primary school has been a priority of mine since taking office and signifies a new chapter in Irish primary education.
This permanent initiative, benefitting nearly 540,000 students, will greatly 7 reduce the burden on families and reflects the importance this Government places on education for all children.

For the third consecutive year I have lowered the staffing schedule for schools, bringing it to an historic low of 23:1 in primary school.
Since 2021, we have invested in an enhanced summer programme, and I am delighted to have secured a further €20 million in funding to maintain the availability of this programme for all schools.

It has been enormously valuable to students and continues to grow in popularity and in impact.

The progress we are making for all students and right across the sector will continue into 2023 and beyond.

Thank you.

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