Hildegarde Naughton: Rejects No-Confidence, Defends Education Record
Hildegarde Naughton addressed the Dáil today to rebut Sinn Féin's no-confidence motion and to set out progress in the Department of Education and Youth. She accused Sinn Féin of failing to criticise blockades that, she said, are harming ordinary people, and outlined recent programme-for-government deliveries.
Hildegarde Naughton criticised Sinn Féin for focusing on a no-confidence motion rather than the human cost of recent blockades. She highlighted the disruption to sick people, workers, families and businesses and argued those consequences were not addressed by Sinn Féin in the previous week.
Naughton summarised work since her appointment as Minister for Education and Youth, saying she has worked with Minister Michael Moynihan to deliver a number of programme-for-government commitments. She set out investments and reforms intended to support students, young people, teachers and school staff across the country.
The minister announced the opening of four new special schools and the rollout of educational therapy services to work with children, teachers and SNAs. She also described a targeted 48 million euro investment aimed at tackling educational disadvantage in 121 schools and the opening of applications for supports for survivors of abuse in residential institutions.
Naughton highlighted the launch of a national conversation and a national convention on the future of education as a once-in-a-generation opportunity. She also referenced a 7.55 billion euro capital investment as part of broader efforts to deliver world-class outcomes and stated her confidence in the government.
Blockades and public impact
Hildegarde Naughton criticised Sinn Féin for focusing on a no-confidence motion rather than the human cost of recent blockades. She highlighted the disruption to sick people, workers, families and businesses and argued those consequences were not addressed by Sinn Féin in the previous week.
Education delivery and commitments
Naughton summarised work since her appointment as Minister for Education and Youth, saying she has worked with Minister Michael Moynihan to deliver a number of programme-for-government commitments. She set out investments and reforms intended to support students, young people, teachers and school staff across the country.
Special education and targeted supports
The minister announced the opening of four new special schools and the rollout of educational therapy services to work with children, teachers and SNAs. She also described a targeted 48 million euro investment aimed at tackling educational disadvantage in 121 schools and the opening of applications for supports for survivors of abuse in residential institutions.
National conversation and capital investment
Naughton highlighted the launch of a national conversation and a national convention on the future of education as a once-in-a-generation opportunity. She also referenced a 7.55 billion euro capital investment as part of broader efforts to deliver world-class outcomes and stated her confidence in the government.
We publish thousands of recordings to make Irish politics transparent and resistant to manipulation. Spotted an error? Report it — together we are building a reliable archive of Irish politics.
Other speeches
Tego samego dnia All speeches from this day →
Brian Stanley
Brian Stanley: Government Threatens Ordinary Workers Over Fuel
Mairéad Farrell
Mairéad Farrell: 'You Ignored the People'
Michael Fitzmaurice
Michael Fitzmaurice: Habitats Directive a 'straitjacket' on projects
Matt Carthy
Matt Carthy to Vote No Confidence Tonight
Jim O'Callaghan
Jim O'Callaghan: Praises Garda Response, Warns on Harassment
Mary Lou McDonald
Mary Lou McDonald: Your time is up, calls for election
Transcript
Ceann Comhairle, at no point over the last week did any member of Sinn Féin speak about the impact the blockades had on ordinary people. Sick people trying to get to hospital appointments, workers trying to get to work, families visiting relatives, business owners losing customers. Instead they spoke about how the government wasn't doing enough. Not once did they criticise the blockades which cause such misery to people across this country and their response today is to table a no confidence motion in a government which is working hard every day to deliver on commitments that we've made to the Irish people. Since being appointed Minister for Education and Youth last November, I've been working with Minister Michael Moynihan and delivered a number of important programme for government commitments. These will have a real impact on our education system, will help students, young people and support teachers and school staff. Let me inform the House in regards to my department, what we have been doing over the last number of months. On special education, we've announced the opening of four new special schools and detailed the rollout of the new educational therapy services which will see therapists working with children, teachers and SNAs in our special schools. To help tackle educational disadvantage, we've announced the biggest ever investment in a single year of 48 million euro in the new strategy, which includes targeted supports for 121 schools with the highest level of educational disadvantage. We've begun accepting applications for supports for survivors of abuse in residential institutions such as industrial schools and reformatories. To ensure our education system continues to deliver world class outcomes, we have launched the national conversation on education and the national convention on the future of education. This is a once in a generation opportunity for children, young people, parents, educators and wider society to help Ireland's education system for decades to come. I could go on to speak about the 7.55 billion euro capital investment. I have full confidence in this government.