CV

NOEL DEMPSEY/Current job: Minister for Education and Science

What schools did you attend? Scoil Naomh Bríd, Trim and St Michael's CBS Trim.

Did you have any famous classmates? I'm sure all my classmates would regard themselves as famous in some way.

Hidden talents at school? Some journalistic skills!!

Where did you go to college? UCD for BA and Diploma in Career Guidance. HDip in Education, diploma in youth leadership in Maynooth.

Best subject? English

Worst subject? Science/maths

Most inspirational teacher and why? Many were influential, but the most inspirational was my primary school teacher Peadar Ó Liathain, a native of Cúil Aodha in West Cork. His love of all things Irish was infectious.

What's the best thing about the Irish education system? The fact that there is open access to education by everybody.

What's the worst thing? The failure to significantly reduce the proportion of people from poorer backgrounds not benefiting from second and third-level education.

Song that reminds you of your schooldays: Bridge Over Troubled Water

Noel Dempsey