Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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486. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the framework to maintain physical distancing in the classroom in post-primary schools with a full return of all students for the 2020-21 school year under the roadmap for the full return to school (details supplied) will be updated during the 2020-21 academic year; if additional resources will be allocated to schools that are excluding students from the classroom on a reoccurring basis in order to comply with the framework; if a review has been conducted of the students who are being hindered in their academic development as a result of not being in the classroom during lessons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36438/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Publication of the Roadmap for the Full Return to School by the Government, included details of a significant financial package to support the implementation of the measures in the roadmap. The package of supports is expected to cost in excess of €437 million in the 2020/2021 school year and this includes funding for a range of supports being made available to schools includes additional financial supports to provide for additional staffing, management supports, enhanced cleaning, hand hygiene and personal protective equipment costs, including €55 million in minor works grants for primary and post-primary schools to be paid in early December, 2020. This includes an additional €25m funding for Covid-19 related Minor Works at post-primary level and bringing forward from 2021 the standard €30m minor works grant at primary level.

My Department has published guidance for Post Primary schools on maintaining physical distance in the classroom, with illustrative classroom layouts. This guidance also includes an option for live streaming of a class to another room or area in the school. Where a small number of students cannot be accommodated in the main classroom they could watch live from a satellite room or area in the school under the supervision of a teacher. These students should be rotated on an equitable basis to the satellite room.

While recognising that each school is different in terms of location, physical layout and available space, school themselves are best placed to decide on appropriate changes necessary to maintain physical distancing.

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 46/2020.