Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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880. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to enforce the wearing of facemasks by primary school students. [14743/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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 recently confirmed that the wearing of masks by primary school students is not being recommended at this time.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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881. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if special education is classed as an essential service; and if these schools will remain open irrespective of Covid-19 numbers to align them with the EU and the UK. [14757/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Education has been deemed an essential service which means that the general public heath advice for people to stay at home does not apply to school staff providing an essential service like teachers and SNAs.

I am conscious of the fact that closing schools has hugely adverse consequences at individual, family and societal level and that the effect on children with complex special educational needs can be even greater.

For this reason, special schools and special classes were prioritised in the phased reopening and a supplementary programme was also put in place for these pupils and for pupils with complex needs in mainstream classes.

I know that the phased re-opening of schools has been particularly challenging for many children with complex special educational needs who have not yet returned to school and their families.

The purpose of managing this cautious phased return is to continue to limit the mobility of the population and curb the spread of the virus.

This approach have been developed in close collaboration with education stakeholders and follow ongoing engagement with the Department of Health and Public Health, HSE.

The safe return and sustained safe re-opening of our schools is a key priority for Government.