Labour’s Ó Ríordáin says education catch-up plan is ‘ill thought through’

The Department of Education and Minister Norma Foley have been strongly critcised by Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin for an “ill-thought through” plan aimed at helping children to catch up with education that was lost during the pandemic.

Fingal TD Ó Ríordáin says the €50m Catch Up for Children fund will not support the long-term recovery for children’s academic general wellbeing.

“The news that the Minister will propose a €50 million fund to make up for school closures is deeply disappointing and highlights a Minister who has no understanding of her brief.

“In February, we called on the Minister and the Department to carry out a forensic examination of the impact of the closure of schools on our children.

“This did not happen then, it is not happening now, and it’s entirely unclear if it will ever happen.

“What’s proposed by the Minister now will equate to about €54 per child.

“This €54 is to make up for the loss of around seven months of in-class learning – an impossible task.

“The school closures have affected all children, but have overwhelmingly exacerbated pre-existing inequalities; vulnerable children and young people, those from socioeconomic disadvantage and those with disabilities or other additional needs are struggling to keep up with their studies the most.

“That’s why a substantial Catch Up fund is required to invest in repair work for these children who have been entirely forgotten about by this Government,” he says.

Deputy Ó Ríordáin says that the Labour Party estimates €100m would be required to “target recovery in lost learning, focusing on one to one and small group tutoring programmes, as well as supporting the return to school and development for disadvantaged children in early years settings.

“Developing a strategic fund and action plan would recognise that schools can’t just turn the lights back on and pretend that nothing happened. It would ensure that no child is left behind,” he says.

“Children, parents and teachers have enough weasel words of sympathy from the Minister.

“What they need is a full commitment to make up for the loss of in-class time.

“We need Government to take a proactive approach to ensuring that no vulnerable child is further disadvantaged as a result of school closures.

“Rights are not suspended in a pandemic. Children deserve better than this.”