Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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1047. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of days of in-school learning children and young persons have missed since March 2020, by age group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19888/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In order to reduce activity and movement to curb the spread of the virus all schools remained closed to students from Monday 11 January following the Christmas break.

My Department developed a plan with the relevant education stakeholders for the phased return to in-school learning for all children, which started in March.

From the 1 March the first four classes at primary level – junior and senior infants, first and second class – and final year Leaving Certificate students returned to school. This phase also saw a return to full attendance for children in special schools. This is in addition to the reopening of special schools on 11 February on a 50% attendance basis and all special classes reopened fully from 22 February. In certain instances where mixed grade classes include some pupils from senior classes those children also returned to school.

On 15 March all primary level, fifth year post primary students returned to school, with the remaining post primary students from 1^stto 4^thyear returning on 12 April.

The maximum period for which students were taught remotely was for post primary students from 1^stto 4^thyear who moved to a period of remote learning on 11 January 2021 and returned for in-school learning on 12 April 2021. Excluding the week of the mid-term break in February 2021, that is approximately 49 school days/10 weeks. While this is the maximum number of days for which students were taught remotely, the majority of children will have returned to in school learning during March.