Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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287. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated timeframe for the reopening of primary schools nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8112/20]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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288. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated timeframe for the reopening of post-primary schools nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8113/20]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 288 together.

On the 1 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.

My Department is engaging and working with the education partners and relevant stakeholders on planning arrangements for the re-opening of schools in accordance with the timeframe outlined in the roadmap and all decisions on how schools are to safely re-open and operate will be consistent with 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. These will now be worked through in detail as part of the development of the roadmap for reopening schools. This work will also be informed by guidance and experience from other jurisdictions.