Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the comments made by the Deputy. I do not know how much longer I will be in my current position. One of the things I have greatly valued during my time in the Department is that its officials are very open-minded and good to work with. There are times when we have differing opinions, but that is life and it brings discussion and an energy to the Department.

On the issue of the summer education programme, there has been intense and focused work at departmental level. That is not to take away from the other big issues that arose in recent months, such as calculated grades for the leaving certificate, the junior certificate cycle or dealing with all of the other conundrums for which, basically, there is no manuscript. One of the things I value and very much respect within the Department is its response to any issues or challenges that arise. We have a challenge to meet on this issue.

The Deputy is correct to ask about what happens if a school says "No". That has occurred in the context of July provision. A particular school with which I am familiar has a phenomenal reputation. It has ASD classes and a rich tradition of school inclusion, but it has never opened the school for a summer-based programme. However, it worked to ensure that tutors were provided for the students. A very significant stand-out figure is that under a traditional programme, 70% of July provision is home-based. That means that out of 4,000 schools, 232 would open. However, I am confident that as a result of engagement, not just at official level but also between the likes of the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, the Irish Primary Principals Network, IPPN, the Catholic Primary School Management Association, CPSMA, and other umbrella groups, we will be in a strong position to try to facilitate parents as best we can.

The programme is voluntary in nature, but it is trying to give parents a choice. The parents to whom I, Deputy Ó Ríordáin and every other Deputy speak are under pressure. They have had a tough few months. I am a parent with three children and I know the stressed environment that arises from balancing working from home, such as trying to do a web exercise relating to the leaving certificate with departmental officials, with trying to help with Irish homework. It is difficult to jump from office to kitchen. I know the intensity of juggling home schooling and work. There are additional pressures for the parents of children with serious to profound intellectual disabilities. I get that. That is why I think Deputies will comprehensively facilitate this summer programme as best they can by using their contacts and network, whether in Glanmire, Darndale, elsewhere in Dublin or Letterkenny, to try to encourage people to show leadership and make this work. I believe we will do so.

See this speech in context