Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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732. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take to ensure sufficient cover for absences to maintain class bubbles and pods intact; the steps she will take to ensure priority testing for staff in schools for Covid-19 testing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32695/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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 been 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.

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 circular 45/2020.

The HSE Department of Public Health has in place prioritised testing for those close contacts of a confirmed case within the school community. Covid-19 test appointments are issued as a priority for school based close contacts through a specific schools referral process within the HSE.

Public Health will determine when the tests are to be undertaken. Tests for the school group are sent to the laboratory as a ‘red flagged’ batch to be processed as a priority on delivery to the laboratory. These tests have a specific school reference number to allow batch reporting of results for the particular school setting. This ensures fast turnaround times for testing and enables swift onward further public health actions if required.