Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raise the July education programme. I have been contacted by several constituents in Carlow-Kilkenny who are worried about whether the scheme will operate this year. It provides funding for an extended school year for children with a severe or profound general learning disability or with autism. The extended year is commonly known as the July provision or the July education programme. Where school-based provision is not feasible, home-based provision may be granted. As the schools have been closed and are not due to reopen this academic year, parents and caregivers are concerned that no clarity has been given on applications for next year or on whether, like in previous years when an eligible school has participated in the programme, an additional month's education will be provided to a pupil who meets the scheme's criteria. Already there have been marked repercussions due to the difference in homeschooling opportunities. Some schoolchildren have much access to learning, whereas others do not. Some children who live in rural Ireland do not have the ability to see their friends if they do not live in estates or in streets where they can see others. Some do not have access to video-calling facilities, an issue especially in homes where there are children with special educational needs. I would appreciate some clarity on the matter.

I echo calls for action on the deep unfairness that is the exclusion from the wage subsidy scheme of those returning from having received maternity benefit. This needs to be rectified and we need more information on it.

I highlight the need for childcare provision for front-line workers. Many of those on the front line do not have crèche-age children. I join with many principals of primary schools throughout the country in expressing disappointment that while other countries have included such measures in the first phase of easing restrictions, we did not, making caring for schoolgoing children more difficult. There are many issues we all still need clarified while we work through this pandemic, and information is crucial.

That is what people are constantly asking for. There is a lack of information. If we could get more information on the different phases, it would be a great help to parents and to their children, who are really feeling the impacts of this.

See this speech in context