Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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122. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the evidential support and scientific basis available to her Department underpinning the advice in respect of the wearing of face coverings in post-primary schools; if this guidance is in accordance with the advice given by the World Health Organization on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25768/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department received advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on the use of face coverings in educational settings on the th August 2020. This advice is available at here

It is a requirement for face coverings to be worn by teachers, staff in schools and students attending post primary school.

However Public health advice also provides that cloth face coverings should not be worn by any of the following groups:

- any person with difficulty breathing

- any person who is unable to remove the face-covering without assistance

- any person who has special needs and who may feel upset or very uncomfortable wearing the face covering, for example persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, sensory concerns or tactile sensitivity.

A medical certificate must be provided to the school where an exemptions is sought on the above grounds. There is no capacity for schools to deviate from either the requirement to wear face coverings or the exemptions that apply.

Advice for schools on the use of face coverings is available in the COVID-19 Response Plans for schools published on the www.gov.ie/backtoschool.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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123. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there will be schemes put in place for children carrying heavy school bags to avail of wheeled bags or technological-based solutions due to closure of school lockers to prevent groups gathering as a result of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25769/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has published a suite of helpful guidance for the safe and sustainable reopening of schools. This guidance was developed in line with public health advice issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the government’s Roadmap for Society and Business, and follows comprehensive and intensive engagement with education stakeholders including the school management bodies and staff representatives.

Each school is required to have a COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe operation through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in line with public health advice. This guidance is focused on the practical steps schools must take to minimise the risk of transmission of infection, including physical distancing measures and reducing the risk of congregation of students. Ultimately it is a matter for each individual school to implement these measures locally taking into account its individual circumstances such as school layout.

My Department is aware that positive action has been taken by many schools on the issue of heavy school bags. Actions consist of a range of measures, including the arrangement of the timetable into double class periods, active liaison with parents and the co-ordination of homework by subject teachers.

The use of digital resources by teachers and students in schools is increasing. While conventional textbooks are still widely used, a number of schools have introduced or are considering introducing e-books and other digital resources to enhance students' work in school and at home. Schools can use the book grant scheme to purchase a range of digital resources relevant to the curriculum.

It should be also be noted that Scoilnet.ie, the Department funded website, supports Primary and Post-Primary teachers in sharing and finding useful resources for the classroom, including the World Books online encyclopaedia resource, and other valuable online content and resources to assist in teaching and learning.

The decision to use tablet devices, and as a consequence eBooks, is a matter for the Board of Management of each school. Where the introduction of new technology is planned, there should be consultation with members of the school community including parents. The cost and other implications must be fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made. It is a matter for each individual school to determine which particular measures are most suited to its individual circumstances and to how the school concerned organises teaching and learning.

An advice sheet on the adoption of tablets in schools is available on the PDST-Technology in Education (PDST-TIE) website, detailing what tablets can offer a school, educational considerations, purchasing considerations and software.