Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I commend the outstanding work of the Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, in negotiating a pathway for students to return to school on a phased basis. In working with all stakeholders, views were heard and accommodation made for all to accept the plan, with the safety and welfare of students, teachers and parents paramount. My inquiry revolves around the composite plan reached after protracted negotiations between student representatives, teacher unions and the State Examinations Commission, SEC. For the well-being and engagement of students, the merits and advantages of the State examinations written leaving certificate system and the SEC accredited grades must be fully explained and outlined to students and parents before the portal system opens next week. In my view, the advantages of selecting both options far outweigh reliance on one option and the message must be communicated clearly both centrally and locally. I suggest that the Minister give consideration to holding a question and answers session on social media, which might be helpful to ensure full comprehension of the system is available and meaningful to both students and parents. I would appreciate if the Minister would consider that.

In regard to the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, I request an end to the anomaly in the resourcing of ASD students versus moderate general learning disability classes in our primary schools. Currently, the pupil-teacher ratio for classes with children with moderate general learning disability is 8:1 and two classes to one SNA. This contrasts with the ASD classes where the pupil-teacher ratio is 6:1 and one class to one SNA. These are unfair anomalies and they lead to discrimination between children with moderate general learning disability and raises our commitment to the inclusion of students with learning disabilities accessing mainstream education. This anomaly reduces the development chances of students. I would appreciate the Minister of State's response in this regard.

See this speech in context