Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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142. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average attendance and login record for students in counties Meath and Westmeath during the period primary and secondary schools have been online by class and school year in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7582/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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During school closures, schools are not required to record attendance. However, it is important that schools regularly engage with pupils in line with the published guidance. My Department has provided a suite of guidance materials, agreed with the education partners, to enable schools to facilitate the continuity of learning for all pupils in a Covid-19 context. These are available at www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/continuity-of-schooling/continuity-of-schooling.html. My Department has also provided specific updated guidance to advise on how schools and teachers can support continuity in the learning of vulnerable students and those at risk of educational disadvantage during school closures due to Covid-19. The guidance sets out approaches that schools can take and my Department has asked schools to ensure that there is a specific focus on ensuring that these pupils are supported.

Any records kept in relation to engagement during school closure periods are retained at school level and my Department does not collect data as requested by the Deputy.