Marian Harkin urges renting local halls for safe school return

Marian Harkin spoke in the European Parliament one-minute slot on 13 May 2020, praising work with UL and welcoming the July provision as an "absolute lifeline" for parents. She urged authorities to contact parents promptly and asked whether local community spaces could be rented to address classroom space constraints when schools reopen in September.

Commendation and July provision

She commended the work with UL and described the July provision as an absolute lifeline. She asked that parents be contacted as soon as possible, noting that not all parents will want it but that many do.

Local space proposal for September

She questioned whether there are plans to rent suitable local space - community halls, voluntary group centres or local language schools - to cope with space pressures when schools return in September. She said she knew one or two excellent venues in Donegal that could be considered.

Primary forum and safety assurances

She reported that the primary forum met that morning and is anxious to get the reopening right. She said the forum will work within public health advice and guidance and emphasised that students must be returned to classrooms with their safety as the priority.

Procedural note and closing

She requested five seconds from the President to reassure the House and closed by thanking colleagues, reiterating the need to balance reopening with public health protections.