Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In general, and in response to the Deputy's earlier remarks about Covid supports in our schools, I wish to be very clear that there is provision for €138 million in such supports. As the Deputy will be aware, the Covid contingency moneys are also available. I reiterate that we continue the infection prevention and control measures in our schools. They are operating very well. I know they have been lifted in other jurisdictions but we are keeping them in place. If there is a requirement for us to draw further on the Covid contingency fund, we will certainly do so.

As for masks, a clear commitment has been given that by 28 February there will be a full review of all the public health measures in our schools, particularly in respect of masks. It is my understanding that NPHET will meet on 17 February and there will be further work in that regard, but 28 February is the date to which we have committed.

I wish to be very clear on the issues the Deputy raised around school books. I wish to be fair. I know the Deputy has a particular interest in this and has advocated very strongly on the matter. We have made available funding of €17.2 million to our schools for the book rental scheme. More than 98% of our primary schools are availing of that. As the Deputy correctly stated, 102 schools are availing of the free book pilot scheme. I am very committed to that. The context in which we are having this discussion is that everything is a budgetary consideration. I appreciate that. I understand the Deputy's bona fides in that the measures he outlines would help to tackle disadvantage and inequality. We are tackling that ambitiously and in a variety of stages, primarily through DEIS, which was a significant package to resource this year - €18 million rising to €32 million. As a result, here are a number of strands to how we are facing issues of disadvantage. Specifically, as I said, considerable funding is already available to the school books rental scheme. We have rolled out the pilot. I am interested in advancing that and I will give it my fullest attention.