Dáil debates

Wednesday, 3 March 2021

Reopening Schools and Leaving Certificate Examinations: Statements

 

6:05 pm

Photo of Pádraig O'SullivanPádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will make a number of points and observations, with a few questions at the end, and I would appreciate a response from either the Minister or Minister of State. Other Deputies have spoken about regression and how we quantify regression in the comings months. I understand, from both the Minister and Minister of State, that there will be expanded summer provision this year, which is welcome but I believe there is justification to quantify that regression. Will the Minister or Minister of State confirm if the Department will do a report about that? Quantifying the regression, whether it is for people with special educational needs or for mainstream cohorts, is important. It leads on to my second point regarding Professor Ferguson and the establishment of his committee. A number of speakers here have addressed the role that rapid antigen testing could have in second level schools and primary schools. There are merits to that not just in a school setting but also in wider society. I take the Minister's point that Professor Ferguson's committee is to do a report on that and present it to Cabinet. I believe there is a role for rapid antigen testing not just in a school setting but in many settings.

The third point I would like to raise is about PPE. I thank the Minister for her clarification about that. She clarified it again yesterday at the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. A myth was peddled by a number of Opposition Deputies that PPE funding was slashed. In fact, it has not been and I am glad that the Minister has put that to bed once and for all.

My last point relates to autism spectrum disorder service provision. A number of speakers have spoken about it today. I welcome the work that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, has done in prioritising assessment of needs but that has obviously created greater demand. Will the Minister expand on her section 37A powers, how they could be utilised and how they need to be justified when making that decision?

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