Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 453: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the protocols he has put in place for schools in relation to swine flu when a brisk closure option exists in the event of an outbreak to avoid the rapid spread through communities; if he is satisfied with the pace at which this will be implemented. [40180/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My department has liaised with the Health Service Executive and the management bodies for education establishments to jointly develop specific advice and guidance that may be required by schools for their management of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009. This information is available on my department's website. In part this practical information is encouraging schools to facilitate everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of this pandemic flu; and to be able to respond to symptoms and cases of this flu.

To date the consistent advice issued to schools is that unless the local Department of Public Health advise the management of the school to close as a precautionary measure, the school should remain open. Any decision, based on public health advice, to close a range of or all schools (and where the number of schools affected is such that making individual contact locally would be impractical) the advice regarding closure will be announced by a statement through the national and local media with supporting information provided through my department's website.

In the event of an emergency situation occurring; in 2009, my Department has again brought to the attention of all schools, its 2004 advice (via departmental circular PBU 04/04) of the need for each school to devise contingency plans and to liaise with the relevant local authority regarding their local area emergency planning framework.