Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ministers for their statements today. I welcome the return to school and the significant work they and departmental officials have done to achieve that. I completely understand the invidious position of Ministers regarding the return to school for children with additional needs in mainstream schools. I am disappointed the phased return as advised by NPHET has transpired in this matter whereby certain children will not return to school until 22 April. However, I appreciate the position the Ministers are in.

Now that our children have begun to return to the classroom, it is important to evaluate the health impacts, particularly the mental health impacts, especially for students in exam years. Has further consideration been given to funding for this provision within schools? I reiterate something I said yesterday and that Deputy Ó Ríordáin raised at yesterday's committee meeting. There should be a study on the effects this period has had on children with additional needs and what provisions can be put in place to support them, notwithstanding the items that have already been announced by the Ministers.

Our stated objective has been to keep our hospitals from being overwhelmed and to keep our schools open. We all remember the scenes in Italy last year with patients being treated in car parks and things like that. Given that the goal has been to keep schools open, there is a justification for having a conversation with the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, on vaccinating our teachers. Has the Minister had a conversation with NIAC or will she do so?

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