Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The point is obvious. There was a proposal by the Minister and the Department of Education for students to return to the classroom. They did not; it is now March and they are only just returning. I am not having a go at the Minister by any means. I am suggesting the statement that education is built on partnership, which I believe was spoken by the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, really does not ring true. The partnership did not allow for the return of students to classrooms at an appropriate time, particularly for our exam year students. That is notwithstanding any other difficulties, particularly with regard to children with additional educational needs.