Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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518. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the date her Department will issue guidance for schools on the use of reduced timetables; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13013/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, guidelines in relation to reduced timetables have been drafted.

The Department has consulted with education stakeholders to consider the timing of the introduction of the guidelines on reduced timetables in the context of Covid 19 and the current operating environment for schools. There were concerns about issuing guidelines in the current Covid context where the safe and sustainable reopening of schools remains the overriding priority for all stakeholders.

The introduction of the guidelines will be done in collaboration with Tusla Education Support Service and education partners. It is intended that the guidelines will issue to schools in due course allowing time for schools to plan for their implementation, taking into account the current priority focus on supporting schools in the current re-opening phase.