Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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508. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her Department’s policy in respect of Covid-19 vaccination appointments; if teachers attending appointments during term-time will be forced to take a day’s sick leave; her views on whether such a policy could act as a deterrent for some; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26367/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department’s Information Note TC 0013/2021 caters for the arrangements that apply where a teacher is called to receive their COVID-19 vaccination during school hours.  Attendance at a COVID-19 vaccination appointment is treated similarly to other such medical appointments eg. attendance for flu vaccine.  Paragraph 5 of the Information Note states:

‘5.1 Where a teacher or SNA has a COVID-19 vaccination appointment during school hours, the absence will be treated in the same manner as other medical appointments.

5.2 In this regard, paragraph 1.3 of the Sick Leave Scheme as contained in Circular 0054/2019 for teachers and Circular 0060/2019 for SNAs refers.

‘‘Sick Leave may be granted to a teacher or SNA who is unable to perform his/her duties

- because of illness, injury or

- when absent for the purpose of obtaining medical related services (e.g. Doctor/Dentist) provided such appointments could not have been arranged outside of regular working hours or working days.”

5.3 Similar to the Sick Leave Scheme, the teacher or SNA should provide confirmation of the vaccination appointment.

5.4 Where a teacher or SNA has side effects following the COVID-19 vaccination, resulting in absence from duty, the terms and conditions of the Sick Leave Scheme will apply.’