Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his good wishes. I agree with him that the classroom, and indeed all of our world, will be a very different place now than it was prior to the arrival of Covid-19. Regarding the issue of the pupil-teacher ratio, there is a clear acknowledgement in the programme for Government on that issue. In respect of the future, however, it should be acknowledged that there has been improvement in schools with one to four teachers. There has been a points decrease that has improved the situation in those schools.

In the broader picture that the Deputy mentioned concerning allocation, providing teachers and ensuring they get into schools, we are very active in that regard. There has been a very successful teacher supply panel. We are also looking at a mechanism of that nature in future. In addition, we are in discussions with key stakeholders regarding how we will cater for requirements that will be necessary for substitution and provision in schools. It will be catered for, because it is an issue within schools. If teachers are absent, or whatever the case may be, it will be necessary for them to be replaced. We are actively working on that issue through the teacher supply panel.

I am very conscious of the issue of the requirement for extra space in schools. Many schools have on-campus facilities, such as halls, that can be utilised for extra space. In other instances, such spaces will not be available. We are looking at all avenues in areas in proximity to schools in order that these facilities can be utilised if the need arises.

See this speech in context