Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

What plans has the Minister put in place for children with underlying health conditions who are to return to school in September? We need robust plans shared well in advance so parents can have the confidence to send their children to schools when they reopen in nine weeks. As matters stand, some parents are afraid of the potential consequences of keeping their children at home. We need clarity that no action will be taken against them if their circumstances are genuine. We also need a plan to deliver the educational needs of these children.

I have had many conversations over the past few weeks with parents of children with underlying health conditions. Many of them are worried about their children's health if they return to school in September as normal without a vaccine being available. Many of them are worried about the threat to seriously ill children from children who are well and who may bring the virus home. Some of them fear for their children's lives. Many parents in my constituency are left in the dark every time a phase in the roadmap is published. Decrees allowing travel in a wider radius and larger gatherings both indoors and outdoors really mean nothing to them. The roadmaps have been silent and offer no hope or guidance to those with children who have underlying conditions. I ask that this change.

I am delighted the Minister spoke about children with special needs because, unfortunately, St. Anne's Special School in the Curragh in County Kildare, where I am from, is not included in the provisions. On 9 June, a letter was received indicating the school would lose two teachers because an algorithm had decided they were not required in the school. That is shocking. This is a school that is oversubscribed and it now finds itself having to decide which children get to finish primary education. Those who get to stay will have to be accommodated in a classroom with older children. Some children will now be moved into classes of eight despite being entitled to a class of no more than six.

Why is it that special schools have no right to appeal these decisions? Will the Minister make the necessary changes to enable the basic right of appeal following principles of natural justice? Will he review the decision and the use of the algorithm, which does not take into account the age of children, their specific needs or whether there is room in classrooms that are set up specifically for those with different needs, such as autism and physical disabilities?

That brings me on to July provision. I ask that the Minister would enable SNAs, who do not have the current required criteria, to be allowed to participate in July provision. We need to have a contingency plan in this regard given this year's special circumstances.

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