Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

When the schools were closed in March, it was a blanket closure order. Every single school in the country had to shut, regardless of the type of school it was. That was the simplest thing to do. Obviously some schools are different, such as special needs schools.

I am aware of children being taught in groups of two or through one to one tutoring. Clearly, the risk is different with smaller groups of people. It may be greater with different behaviour types. In reopening the schools the risks should be looked at. Has Inclusion Ireland had any engagement with the National Council for Special Education or the Department of Education and Skills on the reopening of schools, taking into account the various risk profiles with much smaller classes, shorter days or better ventilated rooms rather than every school being closed or reopened? Has there been engagement with the Department of Education and Skills on risk reduction that could help with smaller classes?