Danny Healy-Rae on Nine-Year-Olds Wearing Masks in Schools
Danny Healy-Rae challenged a new directive requiring nine-year-olds to wear masks in school all day, saying it places undue burdens on children and families. He argued the requirement and the Minister for Education's exemption-letter rule are impractical because GPs were not consulted and parents face appointment and cost barriers.
Mask directive and parental concerns
Danny Healy-Rae criticised the announcement that nine-year-olds must wear masks in school all day, every day. He said many mothers and parents are alarmed because children with asthma, COVID and other respiratory conditions cannot tolerate wearing a mask for six or seven hours.
Exemption letters and GP access
He highlighted that the Minister for Education stated children must attend unless they have a doctor's exemption letter, but no contact was made with GPs about the process. He said parents in his area must secure GP appointments, that doctors are unwilling to provide exemption letters in some cases, and that obtaining letters will cost parents money they do not have.
Health guidance on attendance
In the chamber exchange the Taoiseach said anyone with COVID or any symptoms should not be in school and reiterated public health advice that people should wear masks, calling for pragmatism. Danny Healy-Rae responded that children recovering from COVID and those with respiratory problems may not be able to wear masks for extended periods.
Chamber exchange and tone
The debate became heated with interruptions and sharp remarks, reflecting frustration among deputies and parents. Danny Healy-Rae pressed that the issue is serious and urged clearer guidance and engagement with medical practitioners to resolve practical problems for families.
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Mr. Taoiseach, he made an announcement yesterday evening that nine-year-olds must wear masks in school all day, every day. This has serious precautions for many mothers and many parents and youngsters because many of them have asthma, COVID and respiratory conditions that are affecting many of them. And you see, our Minister for Education has said that they must go to school unless they get a letter of exemption from their doctor. But no one contacted the doctors about this and in our area you have to have an appointment with a doctor and the doctor won't give this letter of exemption and it's going to cost parents money that they don't have at the present time and the more serious aspect of it He hasn't contacted the GPs of the medical profession as to what to do about these letters. That's fine, Deputy. It is very easy-making and the loans may be if he doesn't do the background work. Please, Deputy, Teeshaq. This is a serious matter, and many mothers have been on to me this morning. I dealt with this earlier sub-length joint leaders' questions. You may not have been in for that. I would just advise, Deputy, you may not have intended it, but anybody with COVID should not be in school. So any child with COVID should not be. They recover from COVID and they have that time. You can't be in school with COVID, okay? But we accept that. They are recovered from it, but they are still not 100% of people can understand it. And they have respiratory problems. And they can't wear a mask for six or seven hours every day. In all our exchanges throughout the pandemic, I do accept that you have a unique insight into the pandemic and a unique perspective on it right across the board. That's a new one on me, but I just want to make it very clear. Anyone who has any symptoms at all shouldn't be in school, not just COVID. I said they had it, not now. Do you want to take it? I hope you agree that the public health advice is that people should wear masks. Pragmatism has to obtain that. I hate to interrupt this fascinating exchange, but could we? Can we go on, please, Deputy Alan Farrell? Thank you very much. Please. Look, I know it will be. Have you stopped winging on? Please. Please. A good friend of Deputy, Mr Ford. Thank you and everything else. Maybe you could have a chat with her, you know? Thank you, Deputy Alan Farrell. Thank you, Deputy Alan Farrell. It is no good to me to see you smile about it, and you do nothing about it. God damn it, man. This is a seal. He hasn't spoken to you on the border. I have answered it, Deputy. I have answered it.
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