Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

878. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding teaching time. [14721/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Schools should avoid eroding teaching time and maintain the required amount of contact time with all pupils each day. In a small number of cases, staggered starting and finishing times might be the only way a school can ensure large numbers of people do not congregate outside the school setting. In these cases, all pupils should still be afforded the correct amount of teaching contact time.  

However, in most schools, the use of additional entry and exit points will ensure that classes can be admitted and released from school in a safe manner. Equally, it is important that parents maintain social distancing and adhere to public health measures when dropping off and collecting their children. This should eliminate the need to stagger starting and finishing times.