TD calls for ‘roadmap’ on reopening schools

SINN Féin Education spokesman Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has called on the Government to release a roadmap on the reopening of schools at the earliest opportunity.

Worried parents have been contacting their local TDs about the lack of certainty over when pupils can go back.

Mr Ó Laoghaire said: ‘The Department of Education only seems to have begun initial planning in the middle of May, but the schools have been closed since March 12.

‘That’s not good enough at all. It’s contributing to the situation we’re in. There is huge confusion on behalf of parents and children, teachers and school staff. It’s very difficult for anyone to plan.

‘The position seems to have changed so often. On June 12, the old minister said we would press forward with full reopening, with every child back at school. Our new minister is on a different page.

‘I’m inundated with parents who don’t know how to plan for September and that isn’t good enough when we were promised a roadmap weeks ago.

Mr Ó Laoghaire said: ‘If we can have a roadmap for the reopening of businesses why can’t we have a roadmap for the reopening of our schools for almost a million children. Instead, we have this

“drip, drip” of information and we need clarity.’

Earlier this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the main focus for the new Government will be on reopening the schools.

Concerns were also raised by unions around a lack of appropriate funding for cleaning costs and the fact that Ireland has the largest class sizes in the Eurozone.

New Education Minister Norma Foley has said that while the situation is in ‘flux’, her department will be planning reopening in line with the best ‘public health advice’.

‘It’s very difficult for anyone to plan’