Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and recognise the time and attention she, her Department and all teachers, parents and children are giving to preparing for the return to school every single minute and every single hour. I recognise the significance of that. I particularly think of families who have members going to school for the first time. Different people have different experiences but I met a parent regarding a child who faces great medical challenges. The national school gave the parents special attention a week prior to the child coming to the school. It has been exceptionally aware and fully supportive of their parental needs. I hope that has been the experience of others as well.

I have some questions for the Minister. This morning we heard about the challenges facing teachers who have significant and, in many cases, life-threatening illnesses. That is the situation as I understand it from some of the contributions of the unions. The issue arises of how such teachers appeal a decision if they have such a diagnosis and believe they have not been adequately dealt with. It is a question of the appeals process. It is very important that there be a specialist or a team of people to which such cases could be quickly referred for an ultimate and final decision in the case of disputes. If the Minister has not already made such an arrangement, I encourage her to do so. That is my first question.