Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In her opening remarks, my colleague the Minister, Deputy Foley, set out in detail the approach the Government is taking to reopening our schools. We have listened very carefully to the contributions in the House tonight. It is useful for me, as a Minister of State, and my colleagues in government to hear from Deputies of the concerns they are hearing in their communities. While the school system is a national one, it is rooted in local communities. I know the truth in the statement that one size does not fit all. We have large schools, small schools, urban schools, rural schools, special schools, schools in older buildings and schools in newer ones. The roadmap announced yesterday and the associated documents which have been made available to schools recognise that flexibility is needed in how the roadmap will operate for an individual school.

I accept there is a challenge to get preparations finalised in time for schools reopening, but considerable resilience and initiative have been shown across society since March. By working together, we can get the work done that is needed to reopen our schools. School leaders, staff and management representatives have been working closely with the Department in recent weeks to prepare the roadmap. That engagement was open and intense, and it was aimed at being very practical in ensuring it would deliver the appropriate supports. The commitment of over €375 million is a significant commitment from Government, but in practical terms it means delivering additional teachers, changing how we operate in our schools and addressing the funding for capitation grants. Most importantly it brings clarity to students, parents, teachers, principals and all school staff.

The reopening of our schools has been described as a major logistical undertaking and challenge, and this is fully recognised. I know some have expressed concerns over whether there is enough time to prepare, whether the additional staff are available and what might happen if there are outbreaks of the virus. We will all work together through any challenges that emerge. My Department is available to schools to support them in any challenge that may emerge. The interests of students and families as well as the safety of the staff in the sector have been the paramount considerations throughout as the challenges before us have been worked through. I know how important education is for our young people. Everything that I, the Minister, Deputy Foley, the Department and the education partners do is always motivated by the best interests of our students.

The Department recognises the particular challenges that special schools and special classes will face in dealing with children with complex medical and care needs who are at a higher risk of the serious consequences of Covid-19. Additional NEPS psychologists will be appointed to provide enhanced services to support the well-being of our school communities at this time, to include the well-being of our special school communities. This is something for which I have personally advocated as Minister of State with responsibility for special education and inclusion.

In addition, further targeted resources will be provided. Special schools will receive funding equivalent to ten days' support for the purposes of employing an aide to assist with the logistics of preparing for reopening. To support this work, a once-off enhanced minor works grant will be paid to all schools by mid-August. Providing funding in this way, schools will have the flexibility needed to implement necessary physical measures in their schools quickly in compliance with the public health advice and this roadmap.

An enhanced rate is being provided to special schools and to special classes. These special schools and classes where there is a teaching principal will also receive one release day per week. These schools with an administrative deputy principal will be provided with 16 release days. The Department is also supporting the replacement of all absences of SNAs in school settings. We have at the moment approximately 17,000 SNAs and it is critical that every child with special needs would receive the support he or she needs to get back to school in an appropriate and safe way.

Enhanced Covid-19 rates are payable in respect of students attending special schools and special classes attached to mainstream schools to assist with the extra costs associated with the cleaning of classrooms with a small number of students operating specialist provision.

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A special sum of €3.8 million will be provided towards the cleaning of special schools. Additional financial support will be provided to special schools and classes to provide hand sanitiser and personal protective equipment, PPE, which is likely to be required to a greater degree in these settings. Aprons and gloves are particularly necessary for intimate care. It is almost impossible for children in special schools and classes to maintain social distance. We have to be realistic about that and PPE will therefore be absolutely necessary.

One of the key elements in ensuring that schools can remain open once they reopen is preventing the Covid-19 virus from getting into a school in the first instance. This means students, families and staff all playing their roles in keeping the virus out of the school by ensuring that those who have symptoms or who suspect they have the virus stay out of schools. This is particularly the case for children with special needs. The parents and guardians of these children will have to be particularly aware. They should not be sent to school if they are not well. Best practice must also be maintained with regard to hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette in school while social contacts must be minimised and physical distancing practices must be respected. Individual responsibility will be critical to schools reopening properly.

Our schools and their students, families and staff are at the centre of our communities. We look forward to our schools reopening in the coming weeks. I thank Deputies for their contributions this evening. The Minister, Deputy Foley, and I will take them very seriously and we will follow up on all the Deputies' individual queries. Deputies can talk to the Minister or myself about these queries at any time. The reopening of schools will give a much-needed signal of certainty and hope to Irish families. We will continue to work with all concerned to the benefit of our students across the country. There has been a positive collective response from the Irish people because we all want to work within the new normal. The education of our children is critical for this country and for future generations and their mental health. It is important that parents see their children returning to social settings and getting the knowledge and learning they will need in the future. I thank everybody for their assistance in achieving that.

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