The safety of students and staff has been the primary concern that has been addressed at all stages of the reopening of schools. It continues to be the primary motivation. The direction is given according to the public health advice, taking on board the UK strain and all other aspects from a public health point of view that need to be taken into account. It has been confirmed consistently, as recently as today, that schools remain safe places.

The advisory group on the leaving certificate has met on a number of occasions to look at the broadest matters relating to the exam. Accommodations have already been made in terms of dates for practical exams, projects and all of that. Equally, the engagement with the advisory group on further accommodation and contingencies that may need to be put in place will continue. In the interests of balance, previous speakers have alluded to the fact there are myriad voices on the approach to be taken. Therefore, it is in …

The advisory group is continuing to meet and taking on board all the evolving situation, including the myriad voices on proceeding to the leaving certificate for 2021. I also point out that we very successfully ran the leaving certificate in November, just a short number of weeks ago. It was a full leaving certificate exam and all that learning, experience and public health advice relating to learning and the running of exams is also being taken on board.

All the information on additional time for practicals, projects and all of that has been disseminated to the schools. They are aware of it and it was part of the contingency planning worked through with the advisory group that allowed sufficient time and space to make that additional time available if we were to find ourselves in what is now the current position. I reiterate that the advisory group will continue to meet and work through all the options, taking on board the public health advice available to us.

I thank the Deputy. I can give my view and everybody else has a view. The Deputy spoke about certainty. When it was proposed to hold the leaving certificate exams last November in the middle of a period of level 5 restrictions, some doubt was cast as to whether we could deliver that. Yet again, taking on board the public health advice made available, a full leaving certificate written exam was very successfully offered and achieved in November. The advisory group is taking cognisance of that and of all we learned i…

The Deputy asked about reopening and the judgment on that. There will be a review of that at the end of January, including a review concerning mobility in the education sector. I hope we are moving towards 1 February.

In terms of books, I would point out to the Deputy that click and collect and delivery are still in operation. On vaccinations, as I have mentioned, it is not within my gift, as he will appreciate. We have made representations to the Department of Health and discussions will continue on vaccinations for the school community. We will continue to engage on that issue.

Deputy Pringle mentioned public health advice and the decision to stand down our schools. I want to make it very clear that we have followed public health advice at every point. The public health advice suggested that there was a need to reduce mobility. We respected that and acted accordingly. I am very disappointed that the Deputy does not agree that it is important to give priority to children with additional needs in those circumstances. They deserve that priority. I thought that then and I think it now. I than…

I thank the Senator. I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Project Ireland 2040, which was launched by the Government on 16 February 2018, is the overarching policy and planning framework for the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland. It includes a detailed capital investment plan for the period 2018 to 2027, the national development plan, NDP, for the same period and the 20-year national planning framework, NPF. The principles of the NPF are underpinned …

I appreciate the points the Senator makes and the sincerity with which he makes the case for his home town. I will communicate his points to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as ucht na ceiste agus as ucht deis a thabhairt dom freagra a thabhairt air. I thank Senator Kyne for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the current position regarding the major building project for Scoil Mhuire. The brief for this project is to provide a new school with accommodation for the principal plus 16 mainstream classrooms, a two-classroom special educational needs base and ancillary accommodation on the existing site. The …

I thank the Senator. I appreciate his personal involvement in this project. It is a positive development. From 18 December, we will know a lot more about the preferred option. I will certainly communicate the specific issues the Senator has raised with my officials.

I thank the Senator for raising this matter and allowing me to provide the House with an update on the current position regarding the provision of a permanent school building for Harold's Cross Educate Together Secondary School. Harold's Cross ETSS is a co-educational second level school which will provide 1,000 post-primary school places and a four-classroom special educational needs unit to serve the two school planning areas of Dublin 6-Clonskeagh and Dublin 6W. As the Senator has outlined, the school opened its…

I thank the Senator. I note her personal interest and the work she has done to date. As I have said, we will keep both schools informed.

I thank the Senator for his generous remarks about the work of the Department of Education and how the challenges of Covid-19 are being managed. He also acknowledged how those challenges are being managed on the ground by school communities and I also wish to express my own sincere thanks in that regard. The ongoing work is a challenge that is being met on a daily basis with the immense generosity and determination of school communities. The Senator also acknowledged the provision of accommodation in the area over …

I confirm that I appreciate the Senator raising this issue because it has given me an opportunity to outline the determination of the Department to advance this project. I assure him that the Department will continue to work with the patron and the school authorities on advancing this matter. As the Senator earlier outlined, the priority that is being given to this project is underlined by the fact that there will be a meeting between Oireachtas Members and officials of the Department next week. I have every confid…

Practical steps for the deployment of good ventilation practices were provided to the school system in August, in the context of reopening for September 2020. Contrary to what the Deputy said, this guidance has recently been reviewed and was circulated to the education partners. The updated guidance has now been published. As regards good ventilation practices in schools, it is important, particularly as we get further into winter, that we achieve an appropriate balance between good ventilation and comfort. The ove…

I appreciate the Deputy's point. In the interest of balance and proper context, no building has been built for a Covid-19 environment. This issue is not unique to what is happening in the school environment. It is happening in every building of which we are aware. I again emphasise that air monitors do not increase the air temperature in a room. They merely monitor when one should open or close a window. Significant practical guidance has been given to schools around measures of that nature, such as opening windows…

To go back to the air monitors, I am very confident of the practicality that exists in every classroom and I am confident about how ventilation is being operated by the school community. I reiterate that this issue is being dealt with by many bodies and many buildings have to cope with similar situations at present. As the Deputy will be aware, the capitation grant increased by 2.5% in the budget for 2020-21, which is on top of a 5% increase in the previous year. I intend, if at all possible, to continue the trajec…

I acknowledge the huge contribution made by all school leaders, particularly during this academic year as they continue to work to ensure schools can operate safely. The Roadmap for the Full Return to School provides for comprehensive supports across a range of areas to allow for the safe and sustainable operation of schools. This package of supports totals some €557 million for the 2020-2021 school year and includes funding for additional staffing, management supports, enhanced cleaning, hand hygiene, personal pro…