Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

From Monday, 9 November, Ireland has implemented the EU co-ordinated traffic lights approach for those travelling into Ireland. In general this requires those returning to or entering Ireland from orange or red list countries to restrict their movements for 14 days. This includes school staff, parents and students, including students coming from abroad to attend school in Ireland. Restricting movements means staying indoors in one location and avoiding contact with other people and social situations as much as possible.

Schools have a duty of care to all their students and staff members. If a school has reasonable grounds for believing that its duty of care toward its staff and students is being undermined, it can refuse access to the student or staff member concerned during this period.

The whole school community is working together to create a positive and safe environment for teaching and learning in the particular and often challenging context of Covid-19. Ensuring that all students and their parents are made aware of the public health requirements as they relate to schools is very important. My Department, working with the education partners, has developed a range of information and resources for parents and students to reinforce the importance of the safety control measures in place in schools to minimise the risk of spread of infection. These measures are observed by all students. Contacting An Garda Síochána to establish the travel arrangements of students and staff is not considered appropriate.

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