Michael Moynihan
Cork North-West · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“I cannot emphasise enough the respect that the Minister, Deputy Naughton, and I have for special needs assistants and the contribution they make to education. In March, we met the SNAs to have further engagement and consultation with them and to understand their roles.”
“We are very conscious of the issue. A huge number of groups that I have met over the past while, particularly on the dyslexia side, have all been discussing assistive technologies. That is also the case for children who are non-communicative and non-verbal. Assistive technologies are extremely important for them.”
“By way of background, 85% of the applications processed for assistive technology between January and June have been approved. We are always conscious of those who fall outside the scheme.”
“The approximate cost to the State per mainstream pupil is currently €1,400 annually, while the cost to the family is €100 per pupil. The total cost of the school transport system in 2025 was €537 million, equating to almost €3 million being spent on the provision of school transport per day.”
“I thank the Deputy. We are looking at ways to ensure that if there is a ticket issued, it will be used. Anecdotally, the Deputy and other colleagues tell us about school routes the length and breadth of the country that have spare capacity but, when we look at the system, all of the tickets on that particular school route are occupied and…”
“Under the current scheme, schools receive funding towards computers and specialised equipment required for educational purposes. To qualify, a student must have a diagnosis of a physical or commutative disability and a professional assessment confirming the equipment is essential to access the curriculum.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,291 lines we hold for Michael Moynihan, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 6 of 26.
“The staffing arrangements include an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain published criteria. The school referred the Deputy referred to currently has ten mainstream teachers. As the school's enrolment fell below the required enrolment threshold, the mainstream staffing is due to be reduced by one in September. The school submitted an appeal to the primary staffing appeals board. This was unsuccessful. The primary staffing appeals board operates completely independently of the Department and its decision is final. We have to have a system where we have some metrics to ensure that we have staffing across the education system. I take the points the Deputy has made but unfortunately the numbers dictate. It was the Department's decision and then the independent appeals body supported that decision.”
“In the same period, primary staffing schedules improved from 26:1 to 23:1, and average class sizes at primary school level have improved from 24:1 to 22.2:1. In the same period, St. Francis Junior School had a primary teacher ratio of one teacher for every 9.5 students and a class size of one teacher for every 19 students. The key factor in determining the level of staffing resources provided to individual schools is the staffing schedule for relevant school years and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The primary staffing schedule is a long-standing feature of our primary school allocation system which ensures fairness and transparency in allocating mainstream class teachers across our primary schools, regardless of location.”
“In recent budgets, priority was given to reducing the pupil-teacher ratios in primary schools, which has brought the teacher allocation ratio to an average of one classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the most favourable ratio ever seen at primary level. More favourable ratios are implemented in DEIS urban band 1, including DEIS plus schools, at an average of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively. A three-point reduction in the retention schedule, which was introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teachers. The latest figures for pupil-teacher ratio show an improved ratio of pupils to teachers from 15:1 to 12:1 at primary level when comparing the 2019-2020 school year to the 2024-2025 school year.”
“Schools in the DEIS plus programme will receive strengthened, research-informed supports across well-being, attendance, engagement, guidance, leadership capacity, community partnerships and access to services, including the introduction of a new positive mental health and well-being initiative to support a whole-school approach to student well-being. Teacher numbers at primary level have reached the highest ever level in the current school year. There are over 43,000 teaching posts across the primary school system. This represents an increase of just over 5,000 teachers when compared with the 2019-2020 school year. This has led to a steady improvement in the pupil-teacher ratio and average class sizes during the period.”
“Addressing educational disadvantage and ensuring that every child and young person can reach their full potential is a key priority for both me, as Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth, and for the entire Government. The DEIS plus programme represents a significant expansion of targeted educational supports. It is designed to provide enhanced, evidence-based supports to 121 schools with the highest concentrations of children and young people experiencing persistent and inter-generational disadvantage. Approximately 30,000 children and young people nationally will benefit from the scheme.”
“As the Senator alluded to, we do not have an endless pot of money so we are trying to make sure we address the many challenges we have right across the Department of education and meet the need we have within our education system. We are continuing to do it but we take the point the Senator has raised. I will certainly be reflecting on that with my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Naughton, over the next number of months. I again thank the Senator for raising the issue and for his ongoing engagement on education matters.”
“The capitation funding is hugely important for school communities. We have, over the past number of years, increased it quite substantially, almost by 50% in some instances at primary and post-primary. We will continue to review that. The grant for the next school year will be paid in the next month and we are getting the funding out to the school communities as early as we can. As all education matters are being reviewed in the context of the budget in October 2026 for 2027, they will get consideration as well but in this year alone, we have a sizeable increase in the capitation both at primary and post-primary. We will be continuing to review that because the Minister, Deputy Naughton and I, from our engagement with the school communities and management bodies, know the challenges that are out there.”
“Schools are encouraged to avail of the available OGP procurement frameworks. The financial support services unit, FSSU, funded by the Department is an important source of advice and support to schools on financial matters. The Senator mentioned Sixmilebridge and others. It is important that if there are challenges within school communities that they reach out to the unit as a matter of urgency. We are committed to continuing to increase capitation as we have done over the past number of years.”
“Schools have flexibility to use the capitation fund provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the board of management can allocate according to its own priorities except for the employment of relevant secretaries as per Circular 0036/2022. Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the capitation rate and the ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils. Enhanced rates are also paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils. To ensure that schools are supported to get the best value for money for their spending, the Office of Government Procurement, OGP, frameworks are available to schools for a number of categories including facilities management, managed services, professional services and utilities.”
“The increases announced in budget 2026 are in addition to the 12% increases as part of budget 2025. The past three budgets have resulted in an increase in the level of capitation grant rates of almost 50%, 49.7%, or €91 to primary and 28.5%, or €90, to post-primary schools. The Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education system by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day-to-day running costs of a school such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general upkeep and the ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff.”
“This will see an increase in the standard capitation rates paid to schools of €50 per pupil for primary schools, from €224 to €274, and of €20 per student for post-primary schools, from €386 to €406. This will also allow for an increase of €20 in capitation rates for urban band one DEIS primary schools, increasing the mainstream primary rate in these schools to €294. The increased capitation rates will also see special schools receiving the same rates of mainstream capitation for young people aged 12 and over as for their peers in mainstream post-primary schools. These increases will take effect from September 2026. The funding will benefit schools around the country in managing their day-to-day running costs. Schools will receive their next capitation payment in June.”
“I thank the Senator for the opportunity to outline the capitation issue to the Seanad. I thank him for his ongoing engagement on education issues. He has been in contact with me over many of them. It is important public representatives continue to engage positively in relation to education. The Government is committed to increasing funding to support schools and the programme for Government commits to increasing capitation funding to schools of all types to ensure schools can meet everyday running costs. As we all know, they are increasing. The commitment builds on the progress made in recent years. The Department secured an extra €39 million in budget 2026 towards increased capitation funding for primary, post-primary and special schools to provide additional financial supports towards their running costs.”
“I take this opportunity to reassure them that the system is robust enough to ensure that those data will be taken into consideration into the future. The wider points the Deputies made in relation to Drogheda and the large urban centre are not lost on me.”
“It is hugely important that this is demonstrated in any appeal that is put forward by the school communities in relation to DEIS plus. These are robust mechanisms that have been considered in the context of international best practice. To be fair, the review in that regard was very complimentary regarding the system. We are trying to make sure that the scarce resources available to the State are targeted at and reaching the most vulnerable. What the Deputies have outlined would certainly give me food for thought in the context of the percentages they mentioned in a number of instances, such as the figures relating to lone parents and unemployment. I appeal to them to make sure that the school communities include that information in their appeals.”
“In the first instance, the appeal process is there. I am sure the school communities are engaging to ensure that appeals are submitted. Going back to the challenges in relation to this matter, we have often seen that the criteria being used are very robust. The data collection is also very robust. The challenge here is that the Deputies have given me figures in relation to percentages of unemployment and lone parents and information in respect of IPAS centres. It is hugely important that we have a robust system that goes through all the schools and that the resources that are put in for DEIS plus, or even DEIS in the first instance, are robust enough that we can understand it and stand over it. What the Deputies have outlined is serious, particularly as they see flaws in the system.”
“DEIS grant allocations have been recalculated under the new model, with a number of schools receiving increased funding, and all continue to have access to a full home school community liaison co-ordinators. Additionally, three schools in Drogheda benefit from further staffing supports under the DEIS urban band 1 enhanced capitation rate, as recommended by the Geiran report, providing additional teaching capacity and stability. This measure has been recently extended and all schools have been notified. The appeals process for schools not included in DEIS plus is now open, with full details available on the Department of education's website.”
“The Department also recognises that some schools operate in particularly difficult local environments, where community pressures can impact well-being, engagement and learning. While such pressures are often well understood locally, they are not always captured in the datasets that can be fairly and consistently applied across the entire school system. A rules-based national model must consider all schools on the same basis; it cannot substitute locally known challenges for data that are not available or comparable nationwide. When applied to schools in Drogheda, the model reflected disadvantage but not at the level of concentration required for inclusion in DEIS plus. However, DEIS schools in Drogheda continue to receive significant supports.”
“In order to be included under the model, schools must demonstrate both a level of disadvantage significantly higher than the national average and a high concentration of pupils from very or extremely disadvantaged areas. Schools can experience significant levels of challenge and need but still fall outside the thresholds required for inclusion in this very targeted scheme. A school-led application or self-reporting process would introduce inconsistencies and inequality, which is why a data-driven and national comparative approach is essential. The OECD review of the DEIS identification model highlighted the strengths of this approach, noting that it is multidimensional, general data protection regulation compliant and places no administrative burden on the schools.”
“It is important to stress that a school not being included in DEIS does not imply that disadvantage does not exist within that school's community. The DEIS plus schools were identified using a rules-based model built on nationally available pupil-level administrative data. This model draws on a range of indicators associated with persistent and intergenerational disadvantage, including small-area disadvantage, lone parents, unemployment, Traveller or Roma identity and children living in State-funded emergency accommodation. These indicators are applied consistently across all schools using enrolment data from the past three years.”
“It is designed to provide enhanced, evidence-based support to 121 schools with the very highest concentration of children and young people experiencing persistent and intergenerational disadvantage. Approximately 30,000 children and young people nationally will benefit from inclusion in the scheme. The Deputies raised issues in relation to schools in disadvantaged areas of Drogheda not being included in the scheme. At the outset, I acknowledge the very real challenges faced by the school communities in Drogheda, as well as the commitment of the school leadership, teachers and the entire school community who work continuously to support children and families facing complex and entrenched difficulties.”
“I thank both Deputies for raising the issue. On a serious note, I always admire when constituency colleagues come together on issues of education. It shows the depth of knowledge and commitment they have to education and I have seen that in several constituencies, so I compliment them on that. Addressing the education disadvantage and ensuring every child and young person can reach their full potential is key for both me and my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Naughton. We look at this and the supports we give to children as leading to better outcomes for their lives individually, as well as for society. The DEIS plus scheme represents a significant expansion of the targeted education supports.”
“We have seen the benefit of education and the Deputy mentioned several schools that have indicated they wish to have special classes. We are working meticulously through numbers at present and I will certainly come back to the Deputy on the schools he has raised with me as a matter of urgency. I assure Deputy Cahill that I take seriously the issues he has raised regarding the school estates across Kerry. I will endeavour to make sure any bureaucracy or red tape that is holding up any the projects is cut through to deliver for him and for County Kerry.”
“The Deputy mentioned seven schools, and if I have missed any one of them the Deputy might correct me on it, but I will endeavour to find out exactly what the issues are with each of those and report back to him. On the minor works and all the other schemes, the summer works scheme was started many years ago and has allowed funding to go into schools. It was the intention at the time that the works would be done over the summer holidays to allow for the least disruption but it has moved on from that. I take the point regarding some of the schools the Deputy mentioned, particularly in Dingle and the structural deficit that is there. I will endeavour to get a full update for him on them. He can rest assured the Government is very committed to funding schools right across the country, particularly in County Kerry.”
“I thank Deputy Cahill for his closing remarks. I take the point very seriously. He has very eloquently put the challenges facing several schools he has listed on the Dáil record as regards funding and some basic infrastructure. As a country, we have been very proud of our education system that has developed over many years but it is crucial because you have to have the right working environments for the teaching communities, leadership, teachers, SNAs and all the school communities together. More importantly, it is crucial to deliver a first-class education system. We have a huge amount of funding in place in terms of the capital funding over the next while, but we also have a huge amount of schools where there is competing demand to try to meet that.”
“As for the schools he has mentioned, I will certainly look for an update on them to ensure there is an investment in the schools, starting with the most urgent. I will also meet the Deputy to go through the list of schools he is progressing. In the not-too-distant future, if the visas will be stamped, I hope to get across the border to the kingdom as well.”
“We are constantly reviewing the funding mechanisms and the capital investment in our schools right across the country. Visits to some schools would have shown that minor works or emergency works would not be enough to deal with the scale of the work that needs to be done. We are acutely aware of the challenges. The Deputy put his point very well with regard to a school that increased its capacity and floor size and still remained at the same level of the minor works scheme. I will certainly go back to the Department and look at that. On the Presentation school and the toilet facilities, these are urgent matters that need to be dealt with. The Deputy has made several representations across the school communities in Kerry and I endeavour to take up those issues with him.”
“More than 160 small-scale improvement projects were also completed in Kerry during that time. Eleven school projects in Kerry are under construction while another three projects will go to tender or construction in the 2026-27 period. The Deputy mentioned a number of schools awaiting special classes. A total of 70 special classes have been sanctioned in County Kerry over the past five years, of which 17 have been sanctioned for September 2026. The Deputy spoke about the minor works scheme. A number of grants are available to schools such as minor works grants, ICT grants, the summer works scheme and the emergency works scheme. The Deputy gave a reasonably good tour of the kingdom of Kerry in respect of the schools he mentioned and asked me to do a number of things.”
“I want to reassure the Deputy that we are aware of the challenges faced right across the country with regard to the schools estate, particularly in County Kerry. The Deputy will be aware that over €7.55 billion has been included in the sectoral investment plan for education and youth over the next four years. This plan has a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritising building projects to meet the most urgent needs. The plan includes 105 schools across the country, three of which are in Kerry. Since 2020, the Department of Education and Youth has provided €148 million in capital funding for schools in Kerry. Over this period, a total of 66 schools have been upgraded either through the provision of new school buildings, large-scale extensions or modular accommodation.”
“I thank the Deputy for his Topical Issue. It gives me the opportunity to update the Dáil about investment in schools in Kerry but, more importantly, it shows that the Deputy is in touch with all the school communities, which is hugely important. All Deputies from all sides of the House are engaging with school communities because they are a hugely important piece. They are educating our young people and are meeting many challenges head on both at leadership level in the schools and as teachers and special needs assistants, SNAs, for which I commend them. The Deputy mentioned a number of schools in Kerry. I do not have the exact details of all the schools but I will endeavour to get them.”
“As a Government and as a people, we have been very strong in our concerns and challenges in relation to what has been happening in Gaza, not just over the past number of years but going right back over generations.”
“The Irish Government, and the Irish people in particular, have been very much to the forefront in advocating for Gaza and the Palestinian people going back over many generations but particularly over the last number of years. We have been one of the leading countries within Europe in voicing the huge concerns we have and the huge humanitarian crisis that is continuing there. We have been very much to the forefront in relation to it. We were probably one of the first to raise it and have continued to raise it. The Government is acutely aware of the challenges within Gaza and of the huge humanitarian crisis that continues to be there. On security, we have a very robust security system at our ports and airports for people coming through. That will be upheld by the various authorities; I assure the Deputy of that.”
“We want all parties to adhere to their commitments in full, desist from any actions inconsistent with what has been agreed and to continue to negotiate in good faith to ensure implementation. In relation to this match, however, the FAI has made its decision to honour its fixture commitment and has set out its reasons for doing so. We must acknowledge its independence and autonomy in arriving at this decision.”
“The FAI has briefed both the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan and the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue on this matter, and I understand it will be engaging with the Norwegian Football Federation to learn from its hosting of a match against Israel last year. I should also be clear in that Ireland continues to have grave concerns about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need to ensure that the people of the Gaza Strip have adequate supplies and services. The Government remains committed to working with key partners to end the conflict in Gaza and to advancing a sustainable peace plan. Ending the conflict and addressing the huge challenges facing the Palestinians in Gaza has implications for regional security and stability.”
“International sporting federations are responsible for determining the composition of their membership in line with their own internal rules. The international federations, in this regard UEFA, have a leadership role for their global games, and it is at this level that strategic decisions should be taken rather than by individual countries’ NGBs. The FAI has decided to fulfil its UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel in September and October, in accordance with its obligations as a member of UEFA, and having consulted with An Garda Síochána and other key stakeholders. The Government respects and supports the FAI’s decision to do so.”
“There have been many calls for Irish sporting organisations to boycott or exclude Israel from international sporting competitions in the context of the genocide in Gaza. They include calls for the Football Association of Ireland not to fulfil its UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel this autumn. All national governing bodies, NGBs, including the FAI, are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for the governance of their own sports, including the organisation of sporting fixtures, whether in domestic or international competitions. The Government and Sport Ireland have no role in determining or supporting the organisation of such fixtures. In addition, neither the Government nor Sport Ireland have a role in determining who can participate in international competitions organised by international sporting federations.”
“I thank Senator Andrews for raising the matter. The performance and integrity of our top athletes on the international stage has had a very positive impact for us, as Irish sport provides the world with a window into Ireland and the Irish people, both at home and abroad. International success for our top sportspeople enriches our country in a variety of ways. Many of our fondest memories are centred on Ireland’s achievements on the global sporting stage. These achievements have been a cause of both celebration and inspiration for the public and will continue to do so into the future. This is why the Government is committed to supporting Irish athletes competing at the highest level of international competition.”
“That is something I will reflect very carefully on because it is important that we can keep the wheels of the economy going in rural Ireland as well and that we protect it. We understand the challenges that are there and we protect it. There has been an increase in funding over the past number of years and again this year but the concerns are that the increase in funding is now going to be eroded by the effects of a war that we have no hand, act or part in. It is a serious concern as well. I will reflect on those and the Senator can rest assured that the Department of Transport, the Ministers and the whole of Government understand the challenges facing many and all communities across both urban and, in particular, rural Ireland, as the Senator alluded to in his statement.”
“I thank the Senator. He mentioned Cavan and Monaghan. I come from a very rural part of north-west Cork as well so I understand the importance of the local and regional roads. It is crucially important, as we look at the economies of the local communities, cars and transport. We are a long way from public transport, as the Deputy alluded to in his statement. I take the point very seriously and we have to make sure that we have adequate funding in place, albeit that we have increased the funding again this year and over the past number of years for the local and regional roads. We are really trying to catch up and the Senator mentioned school buses, home helps and so forth, and the condition of the road.”
“We have put in place over €750 million of funding to help people who are severely affected by oil prices, but the Senator's point about additional funding is one I will take back to the Department of Transport. It is one Monaghan County Council and every other local authority have been raising with us because they are seriously concerned that their programme for 2026 may not be reached as a result of the increased cost of some of the contracts. It is concerning. Obviously, the ongoing war in the Middle East is hugely concerning. It is affecting all of our lives and we have to make the best possible decisions in order to future-proof. We do not know how long the war will continue. I will respond further in my closing comments.”
“The Senator raised the issue of funding arrangements that have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII. Under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 and in line with our national development plan, the planning, design, improvement and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for TII. We have had many briefings in the past couple of weeks, particularly since the outbreak of war. A lot of local authorities have been looking at their budgets and the escalating cost of the contracts. They are concerned about the impact the rise in oil prices may have on contract prices and the outputs in that regard. When it comes to increasing funding, the Government and the Department are continuously looking at the effects increased oil prices are having on every aspect of our society.”
“First, there is the restoration maintenance grant for pavement sealing works to protect the road surface from water damage. Second, the restoration improvement grant supports road strengthening works to lengthen the life of the road. Third, the discretionary grant allows for a range of activities, including pothole repairs, edge strengthening, renewal of signs and lines and winter maintenance. The level of funding allocated for each of these is based on the length of the road network within a local authority area. It should also be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities' own resources. As the statutory road authorities for their areas, it is open to local authorities to prioritise investment towards regional and local roads.”
“The vast majority of grants provided are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the existing road network, with the remainder invested in new roads, bridges and road realignment. There has been a significant increase in Exchequer funding in recent years, with €718 million provided for our regional and local roads this year. This will facilitate an increase of €26 million for road protection and renewal work. Due to the level of use of our regional and local road network, the primary focus of investment is on protection and renewal because these roads play a critical role in supporting economic activity and community links throughout the country. There are three main regional and local road grant programmes that account for most of the grant funding available to local authorities.”
“I thank Senator Gallagher for his question. I welcome the opportunity to speak to the House on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien. I understand the question relates to the provision of additional funding for road maintenance due to the rising cost of materials. The Government is strongly committed to protecting our existing road network. The improvement and maintenance of our regional and local roads are the responsibility of local authorities. Funding for such improvements and maintenance is provided through council resources and the State's road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of work that is funded is a matter for the local authority concerned.”
“In regard to the Senator's points on further expansion and further change in legislation, that will come in due course. There is serious engagement by the NTA, the Department of Transport and indeed the whole of the Government in relation to funding for Galway for transport infrastructure as well as other issues. The wider point is that if there is a link from the local authorities and the communities right up to the national office, many times some of what can become big issues can be seen earlier on in the process and can be resolved locally. I certainly will bring the proposal back. I will ensure it is given huge consideration at both the NTA offices and in the Department of Transport.”
“In the official response, we have a number of issues in relation to Galway and the development of infrastructure right across Galway, but the key point is that there is better engagement locally with Oireachtas Members, local authorities, local authority engineers and the communities so that we can deliver the best possible results in terms of transport infrastructure throughout Galway city and county.”
“If we are to have balanced regional development, we must make sure the information that is readily available locally is fed into national policy. As we have seen in many policies, if it comes from the ground up it is always better received locally and easier to implement. The challenges and the shortcomings are there. I take the point the Senator has raised in relation to Galway city and county. I will engage with the NTA and the Department of Transport to ensure we can look at what he is proposing in Seanad Éireann today. It is a sound and sensible suggestion.”
“It is a sound suggestion in terms of having proper engagement with local authorities and the NTA. It is also important as Ireland is developing and has developed over the past while. The development of the regions will be a key, massive component of how we deliver. As Galway has seen huge development over the past while, which will continue into the future, it is important that we engage and use the expertise of members of the local authority and Members of the Oireachtas to ensure early engagement in relation to challenges being faced in the community right across Galway city and county. I will certainly bring the proposal Senator Kyne put before me to both the Department of Transport and the NTA.”
“In particular, Senator Kyne speaks about Galway, which is one of the fastest growing cities and communities in the country. We look at the information that is provided at local level, both to Oireachtas Members and at local authority level. They need to have proper engagement with the local authority to address the challenges on the ground because Oireachtas Members and members of local authorities are constantly engaged with the resident communities and indeed with their own communities as well. They know the challenges. Clearly, there is a deficit in relation to delivery. Local knowledge is very much to the fore and solutions can be found very quickly. However, they are then engaging with an office that does not have the detailed information in relation to it.”
“I thank Senator Kyne for the question. The official reply raises a number of issues in relation to regional representation and the money and work that has been done by the NTA in Galway and its hinterland. The Government and the Minister are responsible for the policy and the overall funding but it is the NTA that delivers, plans and develops it in line with the statutory responsibility for providing transport. There are a number of issues on which it is working with Galway city and county councils in terms of developing funding. The Senator's overall point relates to its national remit and the fact that its national office is in Dublin, in the context of the search for solutions and good transport initiatives throughout the country.”
“I know the Minister is acutely aware of that perspective and has given due consideration to all the aspects of it but it is something we have to be very mindful of as we build more expertise into the courts system to better provide for families. We want to make sure all children are heard through that process.”