Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My apologies for leaving the Chamber. I had been booked for a Commencement debate on education and was then told the Minister and the Minister of State would be at the education committee. I said I knew that because I was planning to attend this meeting. The Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, took the matter in the absence of the Minister, Deputy Foley. I was pressing the need for the new much-awaited and much-needed secondary school in the Newbridge area of County Kildare.

In terms of the issues we have to hand, first, I thank the Minister, Deputy Foley and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, for the incredible amount of work that has gone on since they took office. We saw that in the opening statement, not alone with the reopening of the school sector, but also in keeping classes open in the summer as part of the expanded summer programme and in the whole calculated grades process. It is quite significant. I still feel strongly about the agreement with Fórsa regarding school secretaries and caretakers and a pathway going forward with regard to therapy. That is hugely important.

I wish to raise a number of specific points. I thank all the school communities that have done incredible work with the extra help of the investment given by the Department. My first question involves the whole area of special needs provision, which I have also raised with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. Children in mainstream schools or special schools were enjoying the support of extra therapists, but unfortunately some of those therapists have been redeployed. In my area in County Kildare, I know that two full-time therapists and one part-time therapist were taken away to deal with assessment as opposed to the intervention that was needed at schools. That is regrettable. The Minister might comment on that.

I am aware the Minister spoke briefly about educational disadvantage. I welcome the fact that a review has been done with regard to those children who did not go back to school in September. From speaking to principals and teachers, it is sad and such a shame that children are missing out. That is a crucial point in terms of intervention. As somebody who always asks and talks about the importance of developing resilience, and supports our young people in terms of positive mental health, in one way, young people have developed a new form of resilience. I know, however, from conversations with students and their parents that young people are anxious and stressed, particularly those who are in sixth year. I am, therefore, also interested in knowing a little bit more about NEPS.

With regard to the complexities of the leaving certificate and calculated grades, etc., I am aware that the Minister, Deputy Foley, has made some arrangements for those taking the leaving certificate for 2021. More information needs to be given because students feel they are absolutely not going to cover all of their courses. I feel an intervention needs to be made on that.

The digital divide has been addressed here. Many schools have inadequate broadband capacity and we must bear in mind that young people self-isolating at home do not have access to what they need.

The last question reverts back to the leaving certificate. It is interesting to talk to students who are doing the leaving certificate this year. They actually prefer the calculated grades while teachers prefer to have the normal form. Are there any thoughts about the possibility of including more continuous assessment throughout the school year which would go hand in hand with exams at the end of the year?