Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know the Minister is doing her best but last week I left Government Buildings at 6.20 p.m., having been there from 4 p.m. meeting the Taoiseach. By the time I reached Bray, the Government's decision had been overturned. We were assured that special schools were going to reopen and that leaving certificate students were going to be brought back. However, within 20 minutes, that decision was pulled and there was utter confusion. I am delighted to hear that the Fórsa trade union will advise SNAs to co-operate with the phased resumption of in-school services to children, pending a number of safety measures being undertaken. This is very important because the mixed messages have been very disconcerting. There are legitimate concerns among teachers and staff in special schools who have their own health concerns and childcare issues. I know it is not simple but I welcome the decision announced today that special schools will reopen on 21 January. The most vulnerable children who attend special schools cannot engage in remote learning and are being left behind again. We should learn from the mistakes we made earlier in the pandemic, including last summer. Children regressed because of the lack of routine and an inability to access the therapies delivered to them through school. Many lost skills, could not sleep, became irritable and were self-harming due to frustration. I am sure the Minister is well aware of that, having been a múinteoir herself. Now children have to stay indoors because the weather is so bad. Parents are becoming increasingly upset and many are contacting our offices out of pure frustration. Children with special needs are suffering so much and cannot understand what has happened to their school routine. Their social activities have all been cancelled because of Covid-19 and therapies provided by the HSE, which were already limited, have all been cancelled as well. We do not have much time now so I ask the Minister to reply to my questions in writing. Solutions have to be found. Schools should be provided with additional PPE, testing should be available to staff and to families and supports in the community should also be offered. I know that the issue is not simple but it should be resolved.

In terms of leaving certificate students, huge efforts were made to bring them back but the decision was pulled ultimately. There must be more co-operation with the schools. I was contacted by the principal of Coláiste Dún Iascaigh on foot of a letter the Minister wrote and sent to all principals in recent days, asking them to forward it to all parents. They are very concerned, annoyed and are hugely frustrated and angered by the content and tone of that letter, which is a pity. I am only relating what I have been told but it is very important that the Minister would engage with school staff meaningfully and properly. Those kinds of letters should not be sent out. Anger and annoyance has been expressed by teachers about the content of that letter and I ask the Minister to review it.

The CAO points have gone up this year which will cause difficulties for leaving certificate students. We must have a broader look at the leaving certificate anyway and maybe now is the time to do that. Some question the wisdom of cramming five years' work into two hour or one and a half hour exams. Maybe we should review the entire thing. I wish the Minister well and offer her the support of the Rural Independent Group. We must look after our special children because they so badly need our support.

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