Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I ask that the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, pass on my best wishes to the new Minister, Deputy Foley. I think everyone agrees the opening of our schools is, perhaps, the most important issue facing this country in next few months. It is important that we get it right, not just that children go back to school but that we can get keep the schools open. Education matters for everybody but most of all for our most vulnerable children and for those who, in some way or another, have got detached from the system over the past 130 days. It is a huge challenge but just because something is a challenge, it does not mean that we will not do our best. Teachers, boards of management and staff are determined to try to make this work. The timeframe is extremely tight and different schools will have different circumstances and situations. Regardless, huge requirements are being placed on the shoulders of principals, boards of management, teachers, special needs assistants, SNAs, other staff, parents, etc. The amount of work and the attention to public health requirements, etc., is daunting. I was listening to the Minister when she was speaking.

She spoke about logistics; curriculum; teaching; administration; well-being; enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures; control measures; keeping up-to-date with public health advice and ensuring the advice is passed on to staff, students, parents and others; induction training; redesigning classrooms and making necessary changes to school layout; updating health and safety risk assessment, including systems such as water ventilation and rubbish collection services; and actions to prevent introduction and spread of Covid-19 in schools. That is just some of the list. All of that must be put in place in four weeks. It is an enormous task and anyone who does not recognise that is not being honest.

I read through the plan quickly and I looked at the various appendices, including the various risk assessments, checklists, tracing logs, etc., that will be required. Appendices 6, 7, 8 and 9 contained 131 different actions. It is highly detailed. Most of the public will not be aware of the enormous requirements this will place on schools.

It is great to see the plan. There is a significant contribution of resources. However, do we know if the resources provided are sufficient? How will these resources be distributed? Where will the extra teachers needed come from? Have any of them been recruited? Is it possible to go through the process of recruiting teachers in that short space of time alongside all the preparatory work that needs to be done over the next four weeks?

One of the most important points made in the Sinn Féin motion is the absolute need to reduce class sizes in line with the EU average of 20:1. Class sizes matter enormously and greatly impact on children's learning. Individual attention makes such a difference. Ireland is way behind the curve, with one in five children in classes of 30 or more. When it comes to being above the national average Sligo and Leitrim do not often find themselves in the upper echelons especially when it comes to being above the national average in investment, resources, etc. However, when it comes to class size, we are well up there, with Sligo at 22.1% and Leitrim at 21.4% of children in classes of 30 or more. Many schools in Sligo and Leitrim with such large class sizes will want to know if they will have the resources they need to open their schools safely. Will they be able to employ extra teachers? Schools that already have high pupil-teacher ratios will be under even greater pressure to reopen and stay open safely.

Like my colleague, Deputy Pringle, I emphasise the need for proper provision of school transport. Will parents spend all of August under ferocious pressure trying to ensure their children get to school? I know of people - I am sure the Minister of State also does - whom buses have passed by in recent times standing at bus stops. I would like to know, and I am sure we would all like to know, that will not happen to any of our children as they stand at bus stops waiting for school transport.

See this speech in context