I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following: "Dáil Éireann resolves that the Education (Medical Emergencies in Schools) Bill 2026 be deemed to be read a second time this day twelve months, to allow for consideration of all relevant matters at an inter-departmental level and the development of comprehensive proposals, noting that it may be necessary to consider settings other than schools, to obtain comprehensive legal advice, to allow for engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including the education partners, management bodies and parent and student representatives, and to consider registration, training and budgetary matters." I am pleased to be afforded the opportunity to speak today about the Education (Medical Emergencies in Schools) Bill 2026 on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Deputy Kenny for bringing forward this important Bill. I am reminded of progress made in other jurisdictions. I remember speaking in favour of Sabrina's law when I was in the Seanad quite some time ago. I will take the opportunity to outline the engagement that is under way between the Department of Education and Youth and other relevant stakeholders in regard to progressing how we deal with medical emergencies in our schools. I would also like to outline to the House the current practice that is happening in our schools to safeguard children and young people, as well as staff members, when such instances occur. I recognise the importance of this Bill, in proposing to make provision for promoting participation by a greater number of school staff in approved courses of training in first aid for medical emergencies and for a greater number of schools to be listed as organisations whose staff are authorised to administer certain prescription-only medicinal products without a prescription for the purpose of saving life or reducing severe distress in medical emergencies. I wish to assure the House that the safety and well-being of all children and young people in our schools is a priority for Government. While the board of management of each school is responsible for the care and safety of all pupils, the Department of Education and Youth consistently seeks to support them in that role. Therefore, while the Government is not opposing the Bill l am asking for a timed amendment to allow for consideration of all relevant matters at an interdepartmental level and to allow for the development of comprehensive proposals. I note that it may also be necessary to consider settings other than schools, to obtain comprehensive legal advice, to allow for engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including the education partners, management bodies and parent and student representatives, and to consider registration, training and budgetary matters. I ask the House to note that initial discussions already are under way on this matter between the Department of Education and Youth and the Department of Health. In addition, discussions are also under way with the Health Service Executive and the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council on how best to further develop policy in this area. These discussions are at an early stage, and significant further engagement is required with a wide range of stakeholders before further progress can be made on this important matter. Officials are committed to continuing this engagement with a view to progressing these important matters as a priority. As the House may be aware, the Health Products Regulatory Authority, HPRA, is the statutory authority for medicines in Ireland. Under the regulations, employees or those engaged by listed organisations - who have completed specified training - can, under conditions outlined in the regulations, administer medication in an emergency. The list of organisations that can register with the HPRA includes educational establishments and childcare facilities and I understand that five schools have registered. Registration is a matter for school boards of management if they consider it necessary to do so. However, it is understood that schools also have local arrangements in place, including parents attending to administer medication on-site. Where a school is aware of potential difficulties that may arise as a consequence of a medical condition suffered by one or more pupils, it may be possible for the management authorities, working in conjunction with parents, teachers and children, to put preventative measures in place. These measures would be designed to lessen the possibility of any difficulties arising or to ensure that if a pupil suffers from an illness which requires the administration of medication, that appropriate treatment is available. Where a child requires adult assistance to assist in the administration of medicine and where the extent of assistance required would overly disrupt normal teaching time, special needs assistant, SNA, support may be allocated for this purpose. The role of the SNA, as set out in Circular 30/2014 - a circular which will be updated in the near future - is to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs to facilitate their attendance at school. SNAs support the non-teaching care needs of students with additional needs, fostering inclusion and attendance. Primary care needs covered include the administration of medication, in addition to assistance with feeding, assistance with mobility and toilet hygiene. When appointing a SNA, it is a matter for the board of management to ensure they are in a position to effectively meet the care needs of pupils for whom SNA support has been allocated. There are many different training and upskilling opportunities currently available for school staff in the area of first aid and medical training. These include the education support centres located in regions nationwide who provide professional development to teachers, school management and parents. Many of these education support centres, which are funded by the Department of Education and Youth, provide accredited courses in first aid response and medical care for school staff. Children's Health Ireland also provides an education day specifically for SNAs on clean intermittent catheterisation, CIC. The SNA national training programme, which is fully funded by the Department of Education and Youth for serving SNAs, provides practical training and a module on supporting students with primary care needs, including medical and complex needs. To date, approximately 3,774 SNAs have completed the national training programme. Where specific targeted training is required, the board of management can also liaise with the HSE in order to ensure that the HSE provides guidance and training that enables the SNA to meet the care needs of the pupil in an appropriate manner. It is a matter for individual school authorities to make such arrangements locally. The SNA information hub that was set up for SNAs and schools as a result of feedback on the plan also includes links to accredited training. In addition, the Department of Education and Youth is currently advancing work on the first SNA workforce development plan, which is intended for publication shortly. Proposals for the plan have been developed in consultation with key stakeholders, including SNAs, school management bodies, unions, schools, parents and students. The learning and development programme to be established under the plan will strengthen SNA service delivery by providing access to appropriate and legitimate opportunities for upskilling and reskilling to ensure that SNAs are equipped to meet the complex needs of children in their care in an evolving educational environment. In conclusion, I ask Members to note that discussions and policy development arising, in regard to dealing with medical emergencies in schools, are currently at an early stage. There is a need for co-ordination across several Departments and agencies. There is a requirement to obtain comprehensive legal advice and ensure its thorough review, to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including the education partners, in particular staffing unions, management bodies and parent and student representatives, and to consider registration, training and budgetary matters before proposals can be developed. These may or may not require legislative change. A timed amendment provides sufficient opportunity to explore the relevant matters at an interdepartmental level and develop comprehensive proposals that may impact settings other than schools. I thank the House for affording me the opportunity to speak about the Education (Medical Emergencies in Schools) Bill 2026 on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth. I trust that the House recognises the current practice that is happening in our schools to safeguard children and young people, and that while we support the provisions of this important Bill in strengthening this work, I am asking for a timed amendment to allow for consideration and progression of all relevant matters.

Sentiment score: 0.42

As I outlined earlier, there is absolutely no objection to Deputy Kenny's Bill, but the Government is asking for the timed amendment of 12 months to be agreed to allow for sufficient time to develop the legislative proposals in line with the principles of the Bill. I assure Deputy Ó Murchú, and all those who contributed in the House, that the Government will proceed with this Bill as quickly as is possible. There is a very clear bit of work that is needed to be done. The safety and well-being of all children and young people in schools is a priority for this Government. While the board of management of each school is responsible for the care and safety of pupils, it is the Department of education that consistently seeks to support them. While I welcome the provisions of this Bill, work has already started in the area, and that is why I asked Deputies to note that initial discussions are already under way between the Department of education and the Department of Health. In addition, there are additional discussions under way between the HSE and the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council. While these discussions are at an early stage, significant further engagement is required in this area with a wide range of stakeholders before further progress can be made. That includes the Health Products Regulatory Authority engaging with employees and those listed by organisations who have completed specific training on the conditions. I understand that a number of people have started this. I do not want to repeat the debate. I do not for an instant disagree with one comment that was made here in the Chamber by any Deputy. I agree with them. I appreciate the very real human and emotive need to get this done quickly. The fact that we are essentially 21 years behind the Canadians is something that does stick in my craw. The fact that something significant has been moved so recently in the far more similar jurisdiction of Great Britain just this year will provide an added level of motivation for officials to work across everything to make sure that this timed amendment provides a sufficient opportunity to explore the relevant matters. They must develop the comprehensive proposals that might impact on it in order to provide peace of mind so that when this Bill is enacted, which I very much hope will be the case, in 12 months' time that not only will it be fit for purpose - it clearly is already in its format here - but it will provide the overall surety and guarantee so that it is something that everyone can stand over, be it a teacher, parent, legislator or whoever else. Once again, I commend Deputy Kenny for his work on this Bill, and for introducing it here. I beg the House to pass this timed amendment to come back to it in 12 months.

Sentiment score: 0.37