Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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My final point concerns the reality of kids going back to school at both primary and secondary level. It will be a big step for them. They have been out of school for quite a long time. I have concerns about children who may have been struggling a little and who are getting resource hours. They may not have any official diagnosis of additional need but they were benefiting from resource hours. Have the witnesses plans in place or have they made any recommendations to the Department on children who fall into this category getting extra help? I know everybody says, "Oh, well, everyone will catch up and get there eventually", but I am concerned particularly about the category or age group of children starting to learn how to read and those few months.

There was home schooling and so on but it was difficult for many children and I am concerned for many of them. I hope they do not go into next year's curriculum in September having missed out. Even the routine of it, getting up early and out the door and everything in the morning, is an issue.