Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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235. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement she has had with her Northern Irish counterpart on cross-Border approaches to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37712/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I met with the Northern Ireland Minister for Education, Peter Weir on two occasions. 

The first meeting took place on 31st July 2020 on the margins of the North-South Ministerial Council Plenary meeting in Dublin Castle, where we exchanged some initial views and shared policies in respect of planning for school re-openings for the 2020/ 2021 school year.

More recently, on 6th November 2020, I met again with Minister Weir as part of the Education Sectorial meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council.  Again, we shared views on the experiences of school re-openings and the importance of pupil re-engagement with their learning.  We also committed to convene a meeting of senior officials, along with agencies/bodies with responsibility in vital support areas, and report findings to the next NSMC meeting in this sector.

In addition, officials in my Department are also in regular contact with their Northern counterparts on a range of issues, including the issue of responding to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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236. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement she has had with her Northern Irish counterpart on cross-Border approaches to the Covid-19 pandemic particularly as it relates to students that cross the Border to attend school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37713/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In addition to regular exchanges between officials in both Departments, I have met with Minister Weir on two occasions since my appointment as Minister for Education.  These meetings took place in July and November of this year as part of the North-South Ministerial Council.  We shared views and learnings about the impact of Covid-19 on our respective education systems.

The Deputy should note that public health advice, complemented by the guidelines issued by the respective Departments, will apply to all pupils attending school.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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237. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement she has had with her Northern Irish counterpart on cross-Border approaches to the Covid-19 pandemic particularly as it relates to teachers that cross the Border to attend school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37714/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In addition to regular exchanges between officials in both Departments, I have met with Minister Weir on two occasions since my appointment as Minister for Education.  These meetings took place in July and November of this year as part of the North-South Ministerial Council.  We shared views and learnings about the impact of Covid-19 on our respective education systems.

The Deputy should note that public health advice, complemented by the guidelines issued by the respective Departments, will apply to all teachers.