Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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519. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement that has taken place with schools on reopening in September 2020. [14664/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has been engaging on an ongoing basis with our Partners and stakeholders since schools were first closed in March. Initially this engagement involved supporting the continuation of learning and in more recent times focusing on the planning necessary for a full reopening of schools in late August/September.

 On Wednesday 1 July 2020, I welcomed the publication of interim public health advice for the safe re-opening of schools. This interim health advice sets out the key public health requirements that will be required for a safe full reopening of schools and the measures that will be required to achieve this. This advice will underpin ongoing engagements with education partners and stakeholders in terms of planning and providing guidance for schools to ensure the return to school is safe for children and staff.