24 Meith 2020, 16:21
The Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response will focus on the summer education programme for children with special needs and get an update on testing and contact tracing, when it meets tomorrow, Thursday, 25 June, in Leinster House.
TDs will hear from witnesses at three separate sessions throughout the day.
- Officials from the HSE, representatives from the Department of Health, UCD Professor Paddy Mallon, and Director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory Dr Cillian De Gascun will appear before the Committee to discuss testing and tracing at 9.30am.
- Inclusion Ireland’s Chief Executive Officer Enda Egan, and Community Engagement Manager Mark O’Connor will appear before the Committee to discuss education matters at 12pm.
- Officials from the Department of Education and Skills and National Council for Special Education’s Chief Executive Officer Teresa Griffin and Acting Head of Special Education Madeline Hickey and Head of Operations, Mary McGrath will appear before the Committee at 2.30pm.
Speaking before the meeting, Committee Chairman, Deputy Michael McNamara said: “The Committee wants to get an update on the testing and tracing system currently in place and being planned for the longer-term, including the proposed contact tracing app, as more and more restrictions are lifted and the economy re-opens.
“We also look forward to hearing about the summer education programme recently announced for children with special needs and those students attending DEIS schools and how this programme will operate safely for staff, children and their families.”
The witnesses will appear in the Dáil Chamber and by video link from Committee Room 1.
Watch the Committee live here.