Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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397. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered the need for the wearing of face coverings in schools and colleges by staff and or learners; the advice he has received; the minutes of meetings in which this has been discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6942/20]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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On the 1st May 2020, the Taoiseach announced as part of the "Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business" that schools will commence opening on a phased basis at the beginning of the 2020/2021 academic year.

The Department is currently working with the Education Partners and relevant stakeholders in planning for this re-opening which will be based on public health advice. As part of this engagement, each of the education partners were given the opportunity to outline the key issues that they would like to have considered in the context of re-opening schools. 

The issues raised by the education partners included many of those referred to by the Deputy in her question.  These will now be worked through in detail as part of the development of the roadmap for reopening schools.

A core objective will be to ensure that schools and other education settings can re-open and operate in a safe manner that is consistent with public health advice.