Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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125. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the procedures will be clarified in cases in which a school incurs multiple losses of teaching and other staff as a result of Covid-19 infections or needing to isolate as a result of close contact with infected persons; the procedure in cases in which as a result of such losses the staff-pupil ratio falls below the legal requirement as outlined on page 9 of the HPSC's Covid pathway for schools, which quotes the legal requirement for the staff-pupil ratio; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27445/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The level of staffing in individual schools is determined by Department circulars.  In primary schools, staffing is allocated in accordance with the published staffing schedule for the 2020/21 school year. Primary schools are currently provided with class teachers on the basis of one teacher for every 26 pupils which is at its historically lowest level.  

My Department has published guidance in respect of the COVID -19 operational supports for Primary and Post Primary schools to fully and safely reopen in a sustainable way while minimising risk associated with COVID-19. This is available at  www.gov.ie/backtoschool

 The operational supports include funding of approx. €84.7 million so that schools can employ replacement teachers, SNAs and administrative staff. There is additional funding of €41.2 million, for substitution in primary schools. This will provide more certainty on the availability of substitutes for primary schools and cover substitutions that are not covered by existing schemes. The Supply Panel Scheme has being expanded nationwide and over 300 posts have been allocated to provide substitute cover through these panels. The purpose of supply panels is to support schools to manage the sick leave and other absences by having a supply of teachers to meet substitution needs when required. Schools will continue to be able to access substitute teachers through the normal process, particularly if they are not connected to a supply panel.

There is also funding of €40m for enhanced supervision for post primary schools to minimise the interaction of students from different classes, in line with public health advice. An additional 1,080 teaching posts at post-primary level at a cost of €53 million has being provided to support the important work of teaching and learning and provide additional teachers needed to support teacher substitution, management of physical distancing requirements by reallocating class timetables in schools to smaller groups class sizes where necessary.

My Department recognises that notwithstanding the range of measures put in place, some schools have experienced challenges and my Department has continued to engaged with and support schools where they have demonstrated particular difficulties in accordance with circulars 45/2020 and 46/2020.

Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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126. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if clarity will be provided on the guidelines to playschools and primary schools on the prohibition of the use of plastic lunch boxes (details supplied); and if the reason for the issuing of such guidance will be provided. [27463/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The use of reusable plastic lunch boxes was not prohibited under guidelines issued previously by the DCCAE. It is the use of single-use plastic cups and straws and other single-use plastic items that was prohibited. These guidelines on the elimination of single-use plastics in the interest of environmental sustainability have not been changed. However, these guidelines were issued prior to the onset of Covid-19, and prior to other guidelines from the Department of Health concerning responses to the virus. In the present circumstances, guidelines in the interest of public health in the face of Covid-19 should take precedence over other guidelines. Re-usable hard surface items, such as plastic lunch boxes, can be used and should be cleaned and sanitised between uses. Disposable items, such as plastic lunch bags and disposable rubber gloves, can be used when and where it is advisable or preferable to do so in the interest of public health. The advice of the HSE should be followed at all times.