Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise a couple of issues, the first of which is July provision. In recent weeks, there has been a lot of discussion of the issue and a focus group including the Department, various parents' groups and so on has discussed the potential for a new programme of July provision. Looking at the figures from 2021, it can be seen that we set aside more than €40 million but not all of this funding was used because a significant number of schools did not take part in July provision. The reality is that a significant number of children and parents did not get the provision they needed and were entitled to as a result. I look forward to seeing the proposals from the Department because significant changes to the scheme are needed to make sure that the children who need this provision actually get it.I also raise an issue on behalf of a number of parents and advocacy groups with regard to children attending special schools and classes, and the fact that the children cannot be allowed to be excluded from school due to a chronic illness. They should only be excluded from school based upon public health advice. The fact is that a large number of schools are sending text messages to parents telling them to keep their children home if they have any symptoms of Covid-19. The House will be well aware that there are a number of Covid-19 symptoms in existence, many of which mirror a great deal of typical childhood illnesses. Yes, it is important that schools keep staff and other children safe but they cannot be excluding children who might have hay fever, for example. That illness can continue on into September or October.

I ask and remind schools and parents that children with special educational needs have many chronic underlying conditions which have some of these symptoms. In these circumstances, where these symptoms are known and are the ongoing health features of a child, this should not preclude the attendance of that child from school. Parents and schools should now focus on new and acute symptoms of Covid-19 in such children. In circumstances where this arises, and only in these circumstances, should children be kept home from school.