Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
371. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education if there are Covid-19 guidelines in place that allow access to schools for additional resources such as psychologists, speech and language therapists, art therapists and others; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31651/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has been a priority of this Government to ensure that schools could reopen in a way that is safe and sustainable. A financial package of over €375 million has been provided to support the reopening of schools, which includes provision for additional staffing, reconfiguration of classes, enhanced cleaning, Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) and access to additional psychological supports.
The Roadmap to the Full Reopening of schools includes details of a dedicated package of additional supports for Special Educational Needs which is being made available to schools to implement their Covid-19 Response Plan and to operate in a sustainable way.
Full details are available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/a128d-back-to-school/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/backtoschool/
Further details of the supports that are available to support children with special educational needs is available at:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c0243-supports-for-the-special-education-sector-in-the-reopening-of-schools/
Overall I am satisfied that the enhanced supports under the return to school package, combined with the very significant levels of provision currently available will ensure that pupils with special educational needs can continue to be supported in schools.
