Dáil debates

Thursday, 5 November 2020

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

 

12:30 pm

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

In accordance with the Equal Status Act, all children should have equal access to courses and facilities in schools where they are available to others. There are approximately 500 teenagers and children across the country who themselves are healthy but who live with medically very high-risk, VHR, parents or siblings. These VHR forgotten families have been lobbying the Minister, Deputy Norma Foley's Department, looking for that equal access to remote learning for their children. Many children do not want to go to school because they are afraid their sibling or their parent might get very sick with Covid if they bring it home, yet they are being denied remote learning.

Can we get this sorted out? It is a case of equality. We are talking about 500 children and, as I said, they are scared to go to school. According to the Department guidelines, they themselves do not have to self-isolate, they have not tested positive for Covid and they do not have serious underlying conditions, but they live with those who do. This is very unfair. Can we get this sorted out?

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