Dáil debates

Thursday, 14 January 2021

Covid-19 (Education): Statements

 

1:50 pm

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am responding to both. I will take the opportunity to respond to Deputy Ó Ríordáin first. I acknowledge the engagement that has been forthcoming from the Opposition spokespersons on education, which I appreciate.

On the specific point of consultation with the unions, I want to be very clear that I most definitely engaged with the unions on Monday of last week. I engaged with all the partners in education on their concerns and issues around the reopening of schools. Engagement with all the partners in education has been ongoing since I took up my ministerial post on 27 June. Had that engagement not been possible, we would never have achieved the reopening of our schools. The reopening of our schools was on the back of very considerable engagement, agreement and support within the partners in education for the processes that were being undertaken by the Department.

On the issue of staff, teachers, SNAs and vaccinations, the Deputy will be aware that I initially raised this with regard to the need for the school community to be included on the priority list. I was very pleased when that actually happened. We have re-engaged with the task force in seeking consideration of the need for the school community, as front-line workers, to be accommodated as quickly and as urgently as possible. Those discussions will continue.

On disadvantage, I acknowledge the Deputy's specific interest in the area and the many proposals he has brought forward in that regard.

I think the Deputy will acknowledge that there has been considerable investment by the Department in terms of disadvantage-----

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