Ms Lorraine Dempsey:

All businesses were sent out the return to work safely protocol, which also covers schools. The day before yesterday, schools were circulated with another document from the Department on the school Covid-19 response guidance for the summer programme. Much of what is in it can be got off the yellow posters, with the exception that mask wearing will not be a predominant feature when those schools hosting the school-based summer programme return next Monday. This morning, I was on the Luas for the first time in two months. I understand that from next week wearing a mask will be compulsory on the Luas but the Department has deemed they will not be needed in our schools.

With regard to planning for schools, particularly special schools and special classes, special classes typically have six pupils in a mainstream school and special schools have various profiles. Each class might have anywhere between four and 11 children, depending on the type of profile of the children in the room. They might have a teacher and a minimum of two assistants. Some might have three or four assistants, depending on the complexity of the needs of the children. Other classes are more nurse-led units for extremely medically complex children with a profound level of disability. I have visited several special schools. Some are in very new modern buildings with wide spacious classrooms where desks can be spaced out and social distancing can be managed to minimise contact, unless direct contact is needed for personal care or to guide a student in the educational programme. I have also been to special schools that are ramshackle add-ons, with corridors that have been subdivided to squeeze in another child with an SNA and teacher, where courtyards have been roofed over to get in another special class and where people have to go through one classroom to get to another.

Certain schools will have a huge problem over the summer and a great body of work will be required to be able to provide a safe environment not just for our children but also the staff who will be working with them. If they go sick our children will not have anybody to care for them or provide an education to them. We implore the Department look clearly at supporting the schools with the resources they need to open up safely. We all want our children back in schools but we also recognise the risks. Infection-control measures will be very important as will ensuring schools have an adequate quantity of personal protective equipment where it is required, particularly for children who need regular contact. Perhaps the idea of not instructing teachers and SNAs to wear masks means the Department will supply adequate personal protective equipment to those who need direct contact.

My child relies on an SNA for full support to access her educational programme. Many parents will testify that it involves extremely close contact. SNAs sit beside the child so it is imperative that we wear PPE on public transport where there are seats that are banked for social distancing. My child, SNAs and teachers all have a right to be safe when schools return.