Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I acknowledge her very positive and constructive contribution this evening and, indeed, her positive and ongoing positive contribution to every debate on the education sector. I would say, given the Deputy referenced the concern among teachers, SNAs and others working in the school community, that I know those concerns. I engage on an ongoing basis with the representatives of all of the people of whom we speak, but I also engage on a personal level with teachers, SNAs, school secretaries and caretakers - you name it. This is the community where I come from. These are the people I know.

I know, when the Deputy says there is not a teacher or an SNA who does not want to go back to work, that this is 100% correct. I also know we are living in a society with heightened concerns. However, I want to assure them that, as I have said from the outset, I will always follow the public health advice. I have followed it, as have the Department of Education and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, since September right through to December. I am following that now as they have told us that schools are controlled environments and that they have confidence we can provide for children with additional needs in these settings. We are talking about 18,000 students out of a population of 1 million and many classes have just six pupils. I follow the public health advice. I have the interests of all within the education sector at heart.

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