Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Lynch for her presentation and for staying within the five minutes. I invite Ms Fanning to make her opening statement. Again, I ask her to confine her remarks to five minutes.

Ms Mai Fanning:The National Parents Council Post Primary is grateful for this opportunity. The mental and physical well-being of our children has always been and remains the main focus of concern for parents. We again emphasise the importance of fairness, equality and equity in the delivery of support for children and their families in the face of Covid-19. This must continue to be central to the consideration and implementation of plans as our schools reopen. All partners in education have committed to an assurance that no pupil or student will be negatively affected by the restrictions imposed due to this pandemic.

Full support for all schools is integral to delivery of that assurance. We must work collectively as educators to fulfil this promise.

The importance of our school communities and the interactions therein to our students' well-being is long established and recognised. There is no risk-free way to reopen our schools, but it is broadly accepted that the benefits to students being back at school are very important. That said, parents do have some very real concerns, particularly in light of the ever-changing demands related to Covid-19 and the rapid changes that can occur as a result of trying to manage normal life alongside this pandemic. Where such concern and potential for change exists, clear communications between all involved is essential. The NPCPP recognises and appreciates the commitment of the Government to provide substantial funds to assist schools to reopen and is extremely grateful to individual school management and staff for their hard work and dedication in preparing schools for the safe return of students and teachers. Parents are thankful to see our youth heading back to school, and we are certain they will endeavour to meet all the requirements demanded of them.

Some particular concerns have been expressed and we have asked that these be taken into consideration, acknowledged and addressed by education authorities and school management. Each school in our educational system is autonomous and therefore different. Each will have its own plans and will experience varying difficulties. Prompt responses and provision of required State financial or personnel support must be available. Likewise, assistance towards securing any additional space or infrastructure to ensure the safety of those in the whole school community must be forthcoming and promptly delivered. Dedicated points of contact between the Department, schools and parents are vital and must be maintained.

While the reopening phase is particularly demanding, there will be an ongoing requirement for support in the foreseeable future. On reopening, time must be given to inform students, and all in the school community, of the new routines being adopted at schools. Once routines are established, day-to-day co-operation and management will become more familiar to all involved. Procedures in the event of any suspected case or outbreak of Covid-19 in a school, including isolation requirements, should be calmly and sensitively explained to all in the school community to avoid any upset or panic should a case occur. Prompt testing and availability of results, where necessary, must be a priority.

There are concerns that the necessity to wear masks, as demanded in everyday activity outside schools where personal distancing is not possible, may not be applied in school. Transmission prevention is known to be key in the containment of the virus. At times during the day, student movement through corridors or congregation at various pinch points may be unavoidable. Masks should be worn at such times. Where students are unable to wear masks for health or other reasons, required personal distancing must be applied.

The NPCPP wishes to emphasise the importance of support for students and families who face particular additional difficulties or disadvantage due to personal or family circumstances and for those who require additional learning support or who have special needs. There are students who, for various reasons or in certain circumstances, may not be able to return to school or may resist returning to school. Provision must be made to assist these students and their parents by way of support. While the NPCPP welcomes the commitment to meet the costs of school transport where a student cannot avail of that provided, we are very aware that the most vulnerable families in our school communities will be unable to meet such costs upfront.