Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the issues she highlighted. I must differ with her, however, regarding many of the points she made. The Deputy referred to a lack of planning. That is absolutely and utterly untrue. I hope the Deputy is aware of the efforts being made by schools to ensure children are catered for in these current circumstances with remote and online learning. They are in a position to do that because of the extensive planning and engagement which has taken place to provide clarity and guidelines to schools concerning those elements. Moreover, in respect of guidance on remote and distance learning, guidelines for the continuity of learning were issued to schools earlier in the school term and then procedures agreed by all the partners in education were issued to schools.

There has, therefore, been intense discussion and negotiation with everybody in the education system concerning providing consistent planning and guidelines for the situation in which we find ourselves. Schools adapted flexibly and resiliently during any short-term closures experienced between September and December and they are doing likewise now. There is also agreement where there is considerable oversight from the Department regarding how schools are faring in this respect. I reject out of hand, therefore, what the Deputy has said on this point. She is doing a disservice to the partners in education, including the teaching unions, the managerial bodies, the parents and students when she rejects the amount of time and effort they have put into planning for the closures we face now. Their work has been exemplary and I acknowledge their co-operation.

Turning to the issue of special schools, we have made the announcement regarding those schools. The Deputy raised the specific issue of special classes and children in mainstream classes. Children in special classes and in mainstream schools are to be facilitated under this plan. I again acknowledge the incredible engagement of all the partners in education to achieve the shared objective of facilitating, on 21 January, the opening of the special schools, the special classes and children in mainstream schools. Provision has also been made for vulnerable students.

On the leaving certificate aspect, I again take issue with the Deputy's comment on what I would have learned if I had spoken to students. I deal with students on an ongoing basis. Students are very much anchored in all the discussions we have in the Department regarding any planning we do, whether that concerns schools reopening or examinations. The Irish Second–Level Students Union, ISSU, is represented at all those engagements. I have spoken with representatives from that organisation several times personally and in the context of stakeholder arrangements. I also spoke with the president of ISSU, Reuben Murray, yesterday. I am very well placed to deal with students. I have taught all my life in the education sector, I deal with students on a daily basis and am familiar with their needs and I absolutely reject the suggestion that students are not involved as part of the partners in the education process. They most certainly are.

The Deputy also referred to projects and related matters. Guidance has issued on extended deadlines for projects and the extension now available is available because of the extensive planning, work and engagement with all the partners in education to ensure that leeway would be given regarding dates for the completion of projects. That leeway was given as students returned to school in September, and we are availing of that leeway now, again as a consequence of considerable planning.

Reference was then made by the Deputy to industrial relations issues concerning teachers and SNAs in respect of public health and guidance etc.. Measures regarding the conditions for those who work in the school community and for those students attending classes are all guided by public health advice. Whenever the public health authorities asked us to change our procedures or processes, we have done that, whether that concerned masks, schools transport etc.. We will continue to do that consistently. All measures which need to be in place to facilitate any aspect of the running of schools for any members of our staff will continue to be in place and will continue to be flexibly added to, changed or amended as required by the direction of public health authorities.

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