Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming in to answer questions. I concur with the previous Deputy on a few of the issues she raised. There is a fear that some children with autism have gone backwards because they were not getting their educational needs met. We have to make sure that those people in the community, many of whom are silent, get proper representation and the proper educational system they deserve. There is trepidation among parents, teachers and SNAs that this has not been handled well. Every Deputy is looking for clarity on the July provision. I am not going to labour the point because the previous Deputy has outlined it very well.

School transport is also an issue. I know this is the Minister's area but the Minister of State, John Halligan, would have been involved as well. Will the same problems throw up their heads for school transport? What types of provision will be laid out in school transport from September onward? Is there going to be social distancing or physical distancing?

Will there be problems given the number of buses? Will all of this be sorted out in the meantime?

I refer to SNAs. I have been contacted by a number of schools and my understanding, based on the principals who called me, is that whatever the allocation was last year will be the same for the coming year. What happens if there are extra children who need SNAs in those schools? There is something called an exceptional measure, but principals have to go around in rings in October to fight their case. For one year at least, why would the Minister not give clarity to school principals in particular? Things are difficult enough for them.

In fairness, a lot of good has been done and many things have been handled very well. This is not about having a go at anybody. It is about at least providing peace of mind for those children who may need SNAs starting off in September and now do not know whether they will have them. I ask the Department to change the rules that mean what schools had last year is what they will have next year, and it is tough luck if they have more children but they can apply for exceptional measures. We all know people have to go through appeals and back and forth to fight for services. For God's sake, this September, given the circumstances our country is in, the Minister should outline a clear vision for principals, who have enough on their hands at the moment trying to plan how they will make sure there is safe physical distancing and children adhere to the rules in schools. They are planning for SNA allocations already, and the Minister should at least provide them with some clarity.

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