Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is the first opportunity I have had as the parent of two children to acknowledge the work that many principals, teachers and special needs assistants, SNAs, have done during the pandemic. In many cases it was done without the assistance of a national online learning platform, which is something we need to look at very speedily. We also need to look at the issue of the digital divide, particularly in DEIS and disadvantaged areas.

On the issue of July provision, I fear that this summer, many parents may yet be told that there is not a place or a facility available for their child. I am not clear, even after the Minister's contribution, as to the exact number of teachers and SNAs who have signed up for the scheme and whether he believes that number is sufficient to meet the need.

SNAs' pay is just 40% of teachers' pay, and while I accept the difference in skill sets between the two, given that they are doing one-on-one work and home tuition I do not think that does anything to encourage the recruitment of SNAs for that need.

I am very pleased about the DEIS programme and I have seen its impact in my area for nearly ten years. However, some school principals are being told that the DEIS programme must follow the special needs provision and that they must provide it in the last two weeks in August, which will be a really busy time for the return to school. I ask the Minister to look at that issue.

Do children with Williams syndrome and other genetic disorders also qualify for the July provision and will it be possible to appeal a decision by the school principal on the matter? Deputy Byrne has already mentioned the issue of second level Down's syndrome students, and I echo his remarks.

My final question relates to external candidates for the leaving certificate and predicted grades. At this point it is still not clear what the process will be for external candidates who are not availing of tuition to secure their leaving certificate in subjects like Irish or maths. We really need to give them an answer on that.

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