Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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989. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures in place to prevent and address outbreaks of Covid-19 in special education schools and particularly those in urban areas such as Dublin in consideration of the recent decision not to vaccinate teachers and special needs assistants as a priority group; if there is understanding that this will increase the likelihood of outbreaks of the virus within these school settings which is beyond school staff control; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18990/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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In line with the current public health advice regarding living with Covid-19, all students have now to school.

The Department of Health and the HSE have reaffirmed that schools in themselves are low risk environments.

Public health has reviewed the measures put in place to ensure safe operation of schools and is satisfied that these infection prevention and control measures, when rigorously implemented correctly and adhered to, will keep the school community safe.

Significant funding of almost €630 million has been put in place by my Department to fund Covid-19 related measures, including funding for PPE, sanitation and additional cleaning etc.

The Department of Education, the Department of Health and the HSE will continue to monitor and review the operation of schools on an ongoing basis. Weekly reports on the testing of close contact within the education system are published and available on the HPSC website.

In October 2020, 55 Department of Education inspectors were assigned to work for half their time with the HSE on their dedicated School Teams, in six of the regions of the HSE.

The purpose of their work is to assist schools/settings where a positive case of Covid-19 is identified. Inspectors conduct Public Health Risk Assessments in such schools and settings following a notification of a COVID-19 case by the school/setting to the HSE.

Following the reopening of schools on a phased basis, the Inspectorate also committed to increasing the percentage assignment of these inspectors to the HSE if and when required. As a result, 24 inspectors had their assignment increased to 100% to the HSE on a temporary basis from the end of March.

Additional staff from Department funded agencies and organisations have since been identified to work for 50% of their time with the HSE. The Department’s Inspectorate is coordinating closely with the HSE Public Health Team on an ongoing basis to manage the support needed by the HSE and to keep the level of staffing for the support lines under review.

The dedicated principals’ help line will also remain available as a key resource.

My Department will continue to fund and support infection prevention and control measures in schools to ensure the safety of the school community.