Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt that we are going through one of the most challenging times in our history. We are now facing another massive challenge as we attempt to get our children back to school safely. I would like to put on record my complete admiration and support for the way teaching professionals and support staff have risen to the challenge of making our schools safe for students and staff. We must not underestimate the challenge they face. I have visited many schools in my constituency, particularly in the Dundalk area, and I have been very impressed with the wonderful work of the staff to make the schools safe. While the schools have been made safe, I wish to express some concerns that have been raised with me by parents, teachers and SNAs.

Parents have concerns about the protocols to be put in place if a child is in close contact with another person who is confirmed to have Covid-19. They have genuine concerns for the children, particularly those in vulnerable groups. Will parents be informed if their children are in close contact with a confirmed case? Teachers have also raised valid concerns. Will it be safe for them to work if they are in a vulnerable category? What measures will be taken to ensure their safety? Will they have enough PPE? Who will ensure that proper social distancing measures are taken? SNAs are also worried. They are dealing with vulnerable children and are very often in close contact with them. Is the Government sure they will be protected? Will they have sufficient PPE? What will happen if a particular child puts them at risk? These are genuine concerns on the part of parents, teachers and SNAs.

I would also like to raise the issue of substitute teachers. A lot of schools are very concerned. Is the Minister confident that we have enough substitute teachers? What plans are in place to ensure a sufficient supply, particularly in large towns like Dundalk and Drogheda? What will happen if there are not enough to provide cover? Will classes or schools close, as happened with one school this week?

We have said all along that we are all in this together. Now more than ever, we must all work together to ensure our schools and colleges are safe for students and staff alike. We must make sure that teaching staff are given every support they need to ensure our schools are safe environments. I agree with the approach taken to date. It is vital to get our kids back to school. The long-term effects of keeping children out of school will be serious.

In my role as chair of Louth GAA I have seen at first hand the positive effects of getting children interacting with each other again. In Louth, this summer saw a very successful return to the GAA Cúl camps. Throughout the country more than 71,000 children have enrolled in Cúl camps in recent weeks. It must be noted that there have been virtually no cases of Covid-19 in any of the camps. This shows we can bring our children back into an environment where they can interact in a safe and secure setting. There is no reason why our schools cannot accomplish the same thing as the Cúl camps. We must all work together to ensure that the necessary support and help is available to our teaching and support staff to ensure that schools and colleges are safe environments for everybody. It is important that Deputies raise concerns regarding the approach taken by the Government to the opening of schools but we must not use this issue to score political points. We must all take a proactive role in this and work together to ensure a successful return to schools.

To conclude, I once again put on record my support for the approach taken by the Government. The Minister should address the concerns I have raised today. If she does not have enough time to do so, a written reply would be good.

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