Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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541. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will give a clear direction that parents dropping and collecting children from school grounds should wear masks while doing so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13331/21]

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.

In this context it is very important that the whole school community following public health advice and schools have been asked to remind parents and pupils not to congregate in school grounds/at school gates when dropping and collecting children. Public Health have advised that adherence to the infection control measures in place will keep schools safe for children and staff.

The Department is very appreciative of the ongoing efforts of the school community working to limit the risk of the spread of COVID-19 in schools and ensuring that the infection control measures put in place in line with the school COVID-19 response plans are effective in making schools safe for children and staff.