Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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46. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the discussions she has had with the teachers' representatives regarding safety in schools. [29977/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has been in comprehensive and intensive engagement with education stakeholders including the school management bodies and staff representatives for the purposes of ensuring that schools opened in a safe and sustainable way. These consultations involved the development and publication of important and helpful guidance and the provision of a substantial funding package to support the safe operation of schools. These engagements will continue to help address any issues that arise in schools in the context of COVID-19.

Each school is required to have a COVID-19 Response Plan which outlines the measures for the safe operation of the school through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in line with public health advice. The guidance provided is focused on the practical steps schools must take to minimise the risk of transmission of infection, which has been highly effective to date.

Every school has at least 1 Lead Worker Representative whose role is to represent staff and who may consult with, and make representations to, school management on any issue of concern in relation to COVID-19.

My Department has in place an enhanced Occupational Health Service with the current OHS provider is Medmark Occupational Healthcare Ltd. Medmark has a process in place for school staff with health concerns about their risk of serious illness from contracting COVID-19, through workplace attendance. The risk categorisation is comprehensive and follows the same process that is being applied across other sectors.