Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay to appear before Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education

Among the issues which will be addressed at tomorrow’s committee meeting are:

• How children from disadvantaged backgrounds are faring in school, proposals to improve their educational outcomes and address wider societal disadvantage; and
• Social protection issues

Chairman of the Committee Deputy Damien English said: “It is clear that education, particularly improving literacy and numeracy skills, is one of the key elements in helping to raise living standards and bring people out of poverty by offering greater opportunities. Tomorrow we will have a chance to discuss with children’s charity Barnardos how children from disadvantaged backgrounds are faring in school. We will also look at proposals to improve their educational outcomes and address wider societal disadvantages. We will also consider social protection issues which impact directly on families, such as the Family Income Supplement and Back to School allowances. Committee Members will also have an opportunity to raise any issues or concerns they may have in relation to these matters.”

This meeting will take place on Wednesday 9th November in Committee Room 3, Leinster House 2000 at 9.30am.

The Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills will receive a briefing on the draft Heads of the Education and Training Boards Bill, 2011 from officials from the Department of Education and Skills at 12 noon in Committee Room 3.

Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o

For further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551

Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education

Membership

Damien English, TD (Chairman)
Ray Butler, TD
Áine Collins, TD
Joan Collins, TD
Michael Conaghan, TD
Barry Cowen, TD
Seán Crowe, TD
Tom Fleming, TD
Brendan Griffin, TD
John Halligan, TD
Seán Kyne, TD
Anthony Lawlor, TD
John Lyons, TD
Nicky McFadden, TD
Mary Mitchell O’Connor, TD
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, TD
Aengus Ó Snodaigh, TD
Willie O’Dea, TD
Brendan Ryan, TD
Brendan Smith, TD
Peadar Tóibín, TD

Senators

Deirdre Clune,
John Kelly,
Michael Mullins,
Marie Louise O’Donnell,
Averil Power,
Feargal Quinn