Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I look forward to that announcement. A second example of looking forward in terms of mental health issues and wellbeing is our children. Their education is critical to their health and future wellbeing and development. I recently read an interesting article by Mr. John Boyle, Secretary General of the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, who I know well. I knew him as a teacher in a school I previously represented. He is a brilliant teacher and leader of our teaching profession. He referred in that article to our schools reopening in August and to the need for guidance to support those plans. Many parents are confused or uncertain. They are hearing that the schools will be reopening in late August but not for all students, leaving them scratching their heads and wondering how could this be possible. For example, will Tommy attend school on Monday, with Seán attending on Tuesday? That guidance is needed for the health of all of our people, particularly families. People need to get a sense that children will be back on track in August-September. Perhaps the Minister for Education, Deputy McHugh, who will be in the House later for a questions and answers session, will have further details on the matter. In terms of instilling confidence in how this area is being managed, that guidance is needed very quickly such that parents will have a sense of understanding in regard to the return of their children to school. The same could be applied to our third level colleges. The guidance for third level colleges might be towards distance learning but I do not know how that could work in a primary school classroom. As stated by Mr. John Boyle, how do we do that where there are 30 pupils in a class? I do not know the answer. People want and deserve an answer. They need that guidance very quickly. It is important the Government does not wait until the latter part of the summer to provide it. There is uncertainty around how many pupils can attend and how the school system will work. Is there any time limit for the issuing of that guidance, which might help provide certainty in this area?

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