Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
12. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, report, Implications of the Covid-19 Pandemic for Policy in Relation to Children and Young People: A Policy View, has been reviewed; her views on the implications for education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19285/20]
View answerI congratulate the Minister, Deputy Foley, on her new role. I know her well from our days on Kerry County Council. My question was submitted prior to the publication of the education roadmap. I welcome many aspects of the plan, including the lack of red tape and the child-centred approach, and I acknowledge the hours of hard work put into it by departmental officials. What are her views on the implications for education of the ESRI report mentioned in the question?
I thank the Deputy and appreciate his kind words.
I welcome the publication of the ESRI report, The Implications of the Covid 19 Pandemic for Policy in Relation to Children and Young People: A Policy View. The report details the impact of the pandemic on the lives of children and young people both directly because of the closure of schools and a lack of face-to-face interactions, and indirectly because of increased financial stress that many families in Ireland are now experiencing as a consequence of Covid-19.
My Department is acutely aware of the implications of the pandemic on the lives of pupils, including "learning loss" experienced by many students and the particular challenges facing students with special educational needs, many of whom may struggle to readjust with the routine of school in the autumn, and the importance of supporting the well-being of all our students and school community.
Since schools closed on 12 March, my Department has provided a suite of supports and resources for schools, parents and students. Many of these are specifically targeted at supporting the most vulnerable students, including those with special educational needs and students at greatest risk of educational disadvantage. My Department, in consultation with educational support services such as the professional development service for teachers and junior cycle for teachers, and with agencies of the Department, including the National Council for Curriculum Assessment, the National Council for Special Education and the National Council for Guidance in Education, along with stakeholders has developed a three-phase approach to providing well-being supports on return to school. Supporting the well-being of school communities as they return is at the heart of this planning and maximising contact time with schools in the first term of the year ahead and re-establishing relationships with schools will be an absolute priority.
I thank the Minister for her reply but I am disappointed. Particular concerns have been raised by parents of children with special needs. When they return after what the Minister described as the "learning loss", it is important that they would be able to form bonds with people outside their family unit. I have been contacted by parents and teachers who feel left out of the plan. Staff members who are defined as "high risk" do not seem to be taken into account, aside from those who are at very high risk. There is a difference in the Health Service Executive definitions in this regard.
There seems to be very little detail in the plan for the parents of children with special needs or those who are immunocompromised, along with their families. Those pupils face a return to crowded classrooms so what will happen to them if they remain at home? The personal protective equipment and hygiene measures will fall short in schools packed to capacity. As we know, the average class size in Irish primary schools is 25, which can be compared with the European Union average of 20. In our county we have the largest percentage of children in classes of over 30 students. What will be in the plan to address such matters? We need newly qualified permanent teachers as a priority.
I reassure the Deputy with respect to children with special needs who will return to school. There are approximately 8,000 children, for example, in special schools and there are also approximately 8,000 children in special classes. They have been prioritised in the stimulus package provided for the reopening of schools with a significant amount of funding totalling approximately €13 million. That does not include the over €14 million allocated to special needs assistants that will be dedicated to helping children transition back to school. We know at least 24,000 children are availing of the July provision this year, which provides some respite for parents but will also help a child socialise and get used to a school environment before they go back full time.
We also have funding for cleaning and sanitisation of approximately €3.7 million. There is approximately €5.7 million for school transport. There will be additional release days for teachers and a significant amount is also going into personal protective equipment. We know that when special needs assistants are dealing with children with special needs, particularly with respect to intimate care, we must ensure they protect themselves as well.
I was contacted during the week by a person in St. Finian's national school in Waterville. I ask the Minister and Minister of State to prioritise schools like St. Finian's, which has been refused access to funding to complete necessary works.
An important point was made earlier on Garda vetting. It was indicated that many people have already undergone this vetting. The point is that some teachers and special needs assistants go between different schools. There was a farcical position earlier this year when special needs assistants were to be drafted to work on other areas but they must get vetted separately when they go to a second or third school. That is no different from when such people go between different sporting bodies. Will the Government take steps to address Garda vetting so there are no issues with getting teachers into a school without delay?
On the matter of special schools, I bring to the Minister's attention St. Teresa's special school in Ballinasloe. It has twice applied for an extra autism spectrum disorder, ASD, class but it was refused on both occasions due to "time restraints", to use the Department's term. However, at the same time 39 schools in Dublin have been ordered to reopen in September with ASD classes. It seems there is one rule for Dublin and another for the likes of Ballinasloe. I ask the Minister to consider the matter as the school is seeking an extra ASD class to facilitate eight children in Ballinasloe.
I thank the Deputy for bringing that school to my attention. As he may be aware, we have 124 special schools throughout the country. We are always endeavouring to ensure that we accommodate all of our children with special needs. I will be taking this very seriously. In 2011 we had more than 6,000 schools. We now have almost 8,000 schools. As I said earlier, I am determined to ensure that no child with special needs is left without a place or without the same right of access as other children. That should not happen. This will be a priority for the Department of Education and Skills. I can give the Deputy a commitment in that regard. If he will pass the details of the case to me, I can follow up on it for him.
