Written answers

Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Department of Education and Skills

Covid-19 Pandemic

Photo of Gary GannonGary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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298. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which young children will be expected to socially distance from one another if schools resume in September 2020; and if consideration has been given to the well-being and practicalities of same for young children. [8217/20]

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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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

The wellbeing of our school communities will be a fundamental element of any plan to ensure a successful return to school. I recognise the need to support the wellbeing of our students and school staff in order to support successful re-engagement with teaching and learning.

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 include those referred to by the Deputy in his question.

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.

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