Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The matter concerning external students for whom predictive grades are not appropriate has been raised already and we need clarity. I ask the Minister to give clarity on that as soon as possible. On practical students, I tabled a Dáil question and asked the Minister about this on the last occasion. I did not expect him to know then but we need clarification, for example, in respect of the National College of Art and Design and the practical subjects there, whether it will happen during the summer. The students have been left in limbo.

I thank the Minister for his speech. It is detailed and confirms that there will be extra resources for cleaning schools, which will be absolutely essential. There is a framework for drawing down money in respect of the sanitisers. The Minister also addressed mental health and well-being, which is awfully important. I suggest that one of the best ways of doing that is to leave the schools with a sufficient number of teachers. A lot of schools are now facing losing a teacher over losing one or two pupils. It is totally unacceptable in the year we have had. If the Minister is seriously interested in mental health that is one practical way of doing it.

On the summer provision, fáiltím roimh an éacht atá déanta ag an Aire. Gabhaim buíochas leis as ucht a chuid oibre, ach is mór an trua agus an náire é go raibh orainne mar Theachtaí Dála scéalta pearsanta, a bhí chomh truamhéalach sin, a léamh amach sa Dáil chun brú a chur ar an gcóras agus chun cinnteacht a fháil maidir leis an scéim seo. Níl sé sin ceart ná cóir agus ba chóir go mbeadh an scéim sin ar fáil mar cheart do dhaoine. I have no reservation in thanking the Minister for his efforts. However, it is a reflection on all of us that we had to come in here and read out personal statements of the serious situation at home that parents find themselves in with, more importantly, their children struggling to cope. We have voices for the vintners and for the hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation, and rightly so, but we had no voices for those children and parents who struggled. There was certainly no voice for them on NPHET. Finally we have confirmation that the July provision is going ahead. No system is good where we have to depend on reading out personal statements. Deputy Byrne made a point about what research is being done by the Department. I agree totally with him. It should be research based and it should be proactive from the Department. What resources do they needs to do that, so that they can be visionary and analyse the problems on the ground? What is it that they need so they can provide these services? Have they told us? Has the Minister asked them?

On the actual provision of the scheme, it really highlights how we have let children down. We are now catering for a certain group, which is good, and we have expanded it to children with Down's syndrome, which I welcome. However, we have highlighted those falling between the gaps. We have a school in County Galway where there are ten children with special needs. Four teachers came forward and the school came forward, and they have been told by the Department that they could only have the home-based system and could not do it in the school. Then we have the transition incidents which were mentioned already, somebody going from primary into secondary school. Then we have somebody going into an ordinary school with special needs and they are not catered for at all in this provision because it is not a special school. I have another letter here, as all Deputies have, from teachers in secondary schools with children with special needs not being provided for at all. The Minister has done great, he has confirmed that it is going ahead and is being extended, but surely it is time, if we can give billions out in packages.

Surely it is time to analyse the need on the ground, preschool, primary and secondary, among children with special needs. What do we need to do during the summer and every summer? Surely it should not take Covid and stories being read in the Dáil to tell us what is necessary for a civilised society. These parents are saving the State a fortune. We are providing a minimal service during the summer. Surely it is time to leave a legacy. The Minister has started the expansion, let us look at expanding it further to meet the needs on the ground.

Down Syndrome Ireland has written to all of us. There was an expectation that children in secondary school with Down's syndrome would qualify under the scheme and unfortunately they do not. Perhaps it is too late for this year or maybe it is not. Perhaps the Minister could look at it on a case by case basis. Where schools have come forward and are willing to do it such as the school in Galway, surely they should be allowed if the teachers are willing.

There are packages for schools. Some weeks ago I mentioned a school in Galway which incurred extra cost from postage. Surely there is a way that the school can get some help on that.

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