Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the opportunity to engage with the Minister and Minister of State and thank them for being here. I will break my contribution in two pieces. One is for the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, and the other for the Minister of State at the Department of Education, Deputy Madigan.

I thank the Minister for giving clarity on the choice to leaving certificate students. It is something we all sought and spoke about within the committee confines. We sent a request to the Minister indicating that was what was needed. The outcome is much appreciated, taking on board the views of everyone involved within the education world. It is certainly the best possible solution.

I am glad that the roadmap to schools fully reopening has started. I have a slight concern for those between first and third years in secondary school because it is still over a month before they will have the opportunity to return to school. Will the Minister look at those who cannot sit the junior certificate this year and who will be going into a transition year programme? I think the transition year programme will need to be looked at for the next school year in terms of a little catch-up with the world of academia. The Minister might comment on that.

I have some concern for those children who come from more vulnerable backgrounds. We need to support them in transitioning back into school. I know in some cases they have not really transitioned from September to Christmas. I know the Minister is looking at advancing DEIS supports and the school completion programme, which is important work. I am glad that has come back to the Department of Education. The Minister might comment on that.

The committee is examining the issue of school bullying and the impact on mental health. Does the Minister have comments on that? That comes back to mental health supports for students, especially for those coming back into school having had difficult experiences because of bereavement through Covid-19 or having had to mind siblings when parents were working, etc.

My last point relates to the schools building programme. I am delighted to see so much progress. I am glad one of the schools to benefit will be St. Paul's Secondary School in Monasterevin. As the Minister knows, I always take the opportunity to ask about the new build that is badly needed at secondary level in the Newbridge and Kildare areas. They are the particular points I wish to raise. The Minister said there would be a review of the school transport scheme. Any update on that from the Minister would be welcome.