Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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182. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the plans in place to provide resources, financial and staffing related to allow for the extra cleaning needed, substitution teachers to cover sick and other leave and PODs needed to provide for social distancing when schools reopen; if PPE will be required or recommended; if children over 13 years of age and adults will be required or advised to wear face masks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19268/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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On Monday, the 27^thJuly, my Department published the report to Government “Reopening Our Schools, The Roadmap for the Full Return to School”.

This Roadmap set outs how schools will reopen for all students from the end of August and what the operation of our schools will look like and be sustainable in a COVID-19 context.  It has been developed in line with public health advice issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the Roadmap for Society and Business, and follows comprehensive and intensive engagement with education stakeholders including the school management bodies and staff representatives.

Reopening schools safely for all children and staff has been my number one priority since I became Minister. The Government has approved a package of supports to provide what is required for the safe reopening of schools.

The supports are comprehensive across a range of areas, including funding for getting schools ready, for providing for additional supervision and substitution, and providing additional teachers to help with physical distancing and class sizes. Funding will also be provided for management supports and enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures.

The Roadmap for the Full Return to School also sets out in detail how physical distancing can be applied in primary and post primary settings, using the principles outlined in the public health advice. The implementation of these measures will be supported by funding through the once off enhanced minor works grant.

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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183. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of visiting teachers under the public health provision for schools for September 2020 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19269/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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On Monday, the 27^thJuly, my Department published the report to Government “Reopening Our Schools, The Roadmap for the Full Return to School”.  

This Roadmap set outs how schools will reopen for all students from the end of August and what the operation of our schools will look like and be sustainable in a COVID-19 context.  It has been developed in line with public health advice issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the Roadmap for Society and Business, and follows comprehensive and intensive engagement with education stakeholders including the school management bodies and staff representatives. 

The completion and implementation of the Covid-19 Response Plan by a school is the organisational means through which the school community can best prevent the introduction and spread of Covid-19 in the school environment and is a very important living document which will be adapted over time to reflect the evolving COVID-19 context. The school response plan will contain measures that must be followed by visitors to schools including visiting teachers referred to by the Deputy.

Visiting teachers will be able to access schools similar to substitute teachers or shared Special Educational Needs teachers.

All visitors to a school, whether they be teachers or others, must observe the control measures in place as part of the school’s COVID Response plan.