Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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551. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the current contact tracing measures in schools due to rising numbers of Covid-19 cases. [52997/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The approach to supporting schools to operate safely during Covid-19 has been to follow and implement public health advice. The Department of Education has an ongoing close working relationship with the Department of Health and the HSE throughout the period of the pandemic in the context of implementing important infection prevention control measures in schools to ensure that they can operate safely. This collaboration has been invaluable.

In line with recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team, automatic contact tracing of asymptomatic close contacts in children aged over 3 months and less than 13 years, in schools will no longer takes place. Children who are deemed to be close contacts outside of a household setting are not be routinely required to restrict their movements and be tested.

Public Health teams will continue to provide support to schools should it be clinically required. Testing will be available for children for public health or clinical reasons, or after a Public Health Risk Assessment. The Department, together with the HSE, has stressed the importance of the message that anyone who is symptomatic for Covid-19 should not attend school.

The CMO has acknowledged the close working and ongoing important relationship between the Department of Education and health authorities to ensure that the education system can operate safely. The Department of Education understands that all infection prevention control measures are reviewed continuously in light of any new evidence both nationally and internationally. The Department will continue to engage and assist with any public health led initiative in the schools sector in this regard.