Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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149. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the risk assessments and the NPHET advice declaring special education can be reopened safely will be published in the interest of public confidence; if not, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4586/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has always been guided by public health advice in relation to the safe operation of schools. The CMO has made it very clear in his advices to Government which are published on gov.ie, that schools are safe environments, with very little evidence of transmission within schools, and that the majority of infections of children and adolescents occurs outside the school setting.

The decision to delay the reopening of schools was in recognition of the need to reduce societal activity and movement to curb the spread of the virus at a time where there was unprecedented levels of disease transmission in the community. This was not based on a changed assessment of the risks in relation to transmission levels in schools.

Public Health has consistently advised that schools are safe places for both students and staff because of the mitigation measures in place in our schools. Public Health have also stated that the new variants of the disease do not change the infection prevention and control measures required in schools. Schools have been supported by a funding package of €450m to put in place and maintain these key measures. Public Health advice is that compliance with these measures ensure that schools remain safe places for children and staff.

Following a setback last week to the planned partial reopening of schools, discussions are continuing between the Department of Education and education stakeholders to agree a plan for a phased return to in-school provision for children with special educational needs. This remains a high priority for all partners.