Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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958. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has considered introducing a method for parents and guardians to confirm to schools that they have abided by the Covid-19 regulations during the Easter break to prevent additional transmission of Covid-19 in school settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18646/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My 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.

There is a wide range of materials available for schools to support the communication with parents and students and re-inforce public health messaging. These include video messages from public health doctors on the safety of schools, posters and digital animations and videos.

Parents of children attending since March 1 are being asked by the school to complete a declaration form following an absence from the school. This states that the parent believes that their child does not have an infectious disease and that they have followed all medical and public health guidance with respect to the exclusion of their child from educational facilities. The form is available here.