Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have a number of questions for the Minister and I hope she will respond to some of them. I also wish to make a number of points. It is clear that occasionally there have been mixed messages and a breakdown in communication with parents, pupils, teachers and trade unions. Engaging with all stakeholders is extremely important and necessary. I acknowledge the Minister's announcement that special needs schools and pupils will be able to return to some form of normality on 21 January next. This brings us in line with best international practices, whereby they have remained open in other countries. It is a pity it took so long, but it is welcome that the Minister has done this.

It is generally agreed that transmission in schools is low. NPHET has also pointed this out. The public health advice was more worried about movement and more mobility, but it agreed transmissions were generally low. Are there any plans to provide Covid-19 vaccinations to administrative staff such as SNAs? The Minister mentioned this earlier, but she did not outline whether it has been discussed with her colleagues in advance of the reopening. The deadline is very tight, but if it could be done it would be an important decision. What engagement with transport services, such as taxi services and rural transport providers, has taken place with regard to getting people to and from schools? What facilities have been put in place to enable remote learning for people in direct provision? Balseskin is near my area and direct provision centres do not have proper facilities. In some cases, they do not even have broadband.

Teachers are clearly struggling to provide a sufficient number of classes online and to give extra help to pupils who are falling behind in a subject or who find the course particularly difficult. Teachers cannot provide the one-to-one teaching they can provide in a classroom. Under the current circumstances, this type of teaching cannot be done. The Department must provide the proper guidance, resources and funding that will be required to ensure that students, especially vulnerable students, can continue their education. Many people in my constituency already face great social and economic barriers. Many are on low incomes and are economically disadvantaged. Even in the best times they face great obstacles in accessing and continuing education. This pandemic has raised even greater obstacles for those who were already struggling in education. We must provide the funding and resources to ensure we do not have a lost generation in education.

There are a number of DEIS schools in my constituency of Dublin North-West. Many of the pupils who attend those schools can only access education through the resources of community groups, libraries and other facilities. However, many of these are closed and are effectively shut off from those trying to access them. Pupils who have a computer at home often have a number of siblings who are trying to access online learning. This can prove difficult if it is a family of five or six, with all trying to share a single point. The Department must also facilitate paid leave for parents who must stay at home to look after their children and homeschool them, which will be challenging for many people in my constituency. Does the Minister have any plans to consider paid leave for parents?

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