Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact the Department will be meeting Down Syndrome Ireland tomorrow because my main concern is around the pupils. It is not only for those with Down's syndrome but it is for those in post-primary school mainstream classes who presented with the following disabilities: Down's syndrome; deaf or most severe hard of hearing; blind or most severe visual impairment; moderate general learning disability; and diagnosis of severe emotional behavioural disorder.

This cohort will be allowed attend only if they are in primary school. My concern, however, is the sixth class pupils who have not been in school since the start of March and who are expected to transition to secondary school in September. It is difficult enough to transition from sixth class into first year if one does not have any other issues, but these pupils leaving sixth class have to try to deal with having been out of school since March and then attending secondary school in September without having had the advantage of July provision for those few weeks. This is really important. Could the Department look at it again? Obviously, a child in second, third or fourth year is more used to being in secondary school. For some children going to secondary school, it might be their first time ever going on a bus. They might have been able to attend primary school in their local area but might have to go on a bus to secondary school. I believe there will be so many challenges for these kids heading into secondary school because of Covid. They may not see some of their friends who they have been in school with again. Could the Department be flexible on this?