Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and the Minister of State for coming before the committee today to discuss the Supplementary Estimates of €267 million. I support this and believe it is very worthwhile. I am conscious a significant portion of these Supplementary Estimates is for the purposes of meeting the challenges faced by the Department of Education with the ongoing incidence of Covid-19 in our community. I commend the Minister, the Minister of State, and the Department on keeping the schools open. It is essential we continue to keep the schools open for our children. I am aware public health advice is given very frequently to the Minister in the Department of Education, and I understand fully when the Minister, Deputy Foley, says that she is following public health advice. I would, however, like to see more coming from the public health advisers with information and advice on the importance of keeping schools open for children and the importance of attending school for a child's educational development, social development and personal development. I believe this type of development is an essential ingredient in public health and that children must attend school.

I was very pleased to hear the Minister's response to Deputy Ó Murchú about children in schools who have special needs. I received an email recently from a nine-year-old girl in my constituency who was very upset about the fact that masks were going to have to be worn in the classroom. Her concern was not about wearing the mask herself, but because she is deaf she is concerned. Because she cannot hear, she cannot understand others unless she can see their lips. I am very pleased with the Minister's response to Deputy Ó Murchú with regard to issues like that.

My only question to the Minister is about antigen testing in schools. I am conscious it only started last Monday, and I welcome that. How is that going to be assessed? Will the Department of Education provide updates as to how the scheme is operating or will the information come from the Department of Health? Although it is not a panacea to all of the issues that arise, like most other members of the committee, I believe antigen testing is a helpful tool for the Department of Education and the Minister to ensure schools continue to provide education to our children. Will the Department of Education or the Department of Health be giving these updates?