Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Let us deal with the Deputy's first question on traditional July provision. Last year, 70% of the summer programme was home based. Out of 4,000 schools, 232 signed up. We will find out within the next three days - after formal contact with the schools and once we have got approval from the Cabinet - what type of feedback we will get from the schools. Our contacts with them so far have been quite positive. Schools will have issues until they know what the working protocol will be. In providing those guidelines, we will be guided by health advice at all times. We are discussing the safety of these children, many of whom have complex medical needs and profound intellectual disabilities. As such, we are very conscious of the work protocol.

As to ensuring there is confidence in the scheme working, it relies on its voluntary nature. Deputy Lahart raised the question of whether that should be changed but it is the nature of the scheme. The feedback we are getting from teachers, tutors and SNAs is that they want to be part of it. We will continue working closely with the sector. That is why we have been engaging intensively with the educational stakeholders. From next Friday, schools will know exactly what is happening.

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