Written answers

Wednesday, 3 March 2021

Department of Education and Skills

Covid-19 Pandemic

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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438. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the meetings, correspondence and engagements she and her officials have had with a group (details supplied); if she will specifically address the concerns outlined by the group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11405/21]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has had no engagement with the group referred to by the Deputy.

The Government has always been guided by public health advice in relation to what is safe in 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. Schools have put significant infection prevention control measures in place to reduce the risk of coronavirus being transmitted to/within the school and significant funding of almost €650 million has been put in place by my Department to fund Covid-19 related measures, including funding for PPE, sanitation and additional cleaning etc.

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.

My Department has had Intensive engagement and input from education partners representing parents, students, unions, management bodies and principal networks on all aspects of the plan for the phased reopening of schools. These engagements are ongoing and are focussing on the safe return of all remaining cohorts of pupils and students to school at the earliest opportunity in March, with the last group of post primary students set to return to school after the Easter Break.

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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439. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if new directives are being considered on mask wearing or other safety precautions in the context of the reopening of schools. [11436/21]

Photo of Aodhán Ó RíordáinAodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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486. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the advice of a person (details supplied) who suggests that primary school children should wear surgical face masks when they return to the classrooms; and if she will communicate such advice to schools to allow them to implement in circumstances as age and ability of children allows. [11873/21]

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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525. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has discussed with the teachers’ unions the wearing of face masks for sixth-class students given the WHO recommendation that all children aged 12 and over should wear a mask; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12169/21]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 439, 486 and 525 together.

My Department has always been guided by public health advice in relation to the infection prevention and control measure appropriate for schools. While current public health advice makes it a requirement for face coverings to be worn by teachers, non-teaching staff in primary and post primary schools and students attending post primary school, it is not a requirement for children attending primary school to wear face-coverings.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) keep infection prevention and control measures under review in all sectors and have advised that the wearing of masks by primary school students is not being recommended at this time. However this is currently being reviewed and it is understood that an expert sub group will report to the NPHET on Thursday in this regard. My Department will await the outcome of this advice from NPHET and any subsequent Government decisions.

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