Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I cannot speak to the specific case the Deputy has raised because I am not familiar with it. In general, schools have a duty of care to their students and staff, as I have outlined. If there is a view that this duty of care is being impeded by the return of a student who has travelled abroad and is not observing whatever restrictions have been deemed necessary at that time, the school can act. Schools have every right to refuse access to anyone who has not fulfilled his or her obligation to restrict his or her movements. That has operated well throughout the school system. There are 4,000 schools with 100,000 staff and 1 million students. This issue has not been raised with the Department on an ongoing basis. As in all contexts, schools have sufficient practicality, wisdom and know-how to deal with these incidents. Parents have also exercised very good judgment. They have been highly responsible in how they have operated within the Covid-19 guidelines pertaining to travel and to any other areas.

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