Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I anticipate that announcements on the reopening of schools will come at the end of this month. I imagine that the costs will be available at that time, though perhaps not all of them will be. It would be premature at this stage to put any figures before the House because discussions are still ongoing.

I will highlight some of the points Deputies have made regarding the reopening of the schools, such as substitution, for example. I recognise that there will be a requirement for substitution to be put in place and that the Department will be footing a bill of that nature.

There was also an issue regarding vulnerable students and how we will cater for them. I am very conscious of children with particular needs as I come from that environment and they will also be catered for in this reopening of schools. Well-being will be a major issue for many children in future but also for the entire school community, and resources in respect of resilience and mental well-being will also be put in place.

There is no confusion. There is a clear agenda to reopen schools fully come late August and early September and the necessary resources will absolutely be put in place to make that happen. Issues were also raised regarding the voluntary contribution. I acknowledge that parents and guardians are under particular stresses regarding voluntary contributions, perhaps now more so than ever. Regarding that issue, in the budget there is a 2.5% increase in capitation fees, and that is on top of the 5% increase from last year. I acknowledge that does not bring us to the pre-2011 level, but it is a recognition of and commitment to the need to put in place resources that will ensure less of a financial burden is being placed on parents. That will be a continuous objective in future.

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