Written answers

Wednesday, 1 December 2021

Department of Education and Skills

Covid-19 Pandemic

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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113. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her advice on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the wearing of masks in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59186/21]

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the wearing of Covid-19-related masks is having a significantly adverse impact on the ability of deaf and hard of hearing children to lip-read and that such masking further prolongs speech development delay and social isolation; the measures she is taking to address this within education settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59402/21]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 119 together.

The Department has always been guided by Public Health as to the mitigation measures needed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in our schools.  The aim of all of the Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures that have been put in place for schools is to support schools to operate safely and prevent the introduction of Covid-19 and also the onward of transmission of Covid-19 among the school community. These measures protect pupils, their parents and school staff and are very effective when adhered to.

NPHET has recommended and the Government has approved a measure introducing the wearing of face masks by children aged nine years and older in a number of settings, including for children in 3rd class and above in primary schools.  HSPC interim Guidance on the use of face coverings in childcare and educational setting can be found atwww.gov.ie/en/publication/1f9ba-interim-guidance-on-the-use-of-face-coverings-in-childcare-and-educational-settings/

The Department has provided guidance for schools, including information on those categories of children who are exempt on medical grounds from wearing face masks. It is recognised that in the case of certain children with additional needs, schools may be already aware of difficulties they may face in the appropriate use of face coverings. Schools will be best placed to identify those children whose complex needs are such that the wearing of face covering may not be possible for them, and to discuss this with parents as required. In such circumstances, a school may not require medical certification to provide an exemption to the wearing of face coverings. The measure is being introduced on a temporary basis and is subject to review in mid-February 2022

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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114. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will introduce a full trace and track procedure in place for schools in order to assist with the mitigation of Covid-19 spread in the schools system; and if she has considered advising that primary schools reintroduce a pod system for pupils in class. [59257/21]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma 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. Following a recommendation from NPHET, a decision was taken by Government to cease routine contact tracing of asymptomatic close contacts in children older than 3 months to under 13 years outside of the household setting, including those attending primary educational with the exception of special educational settings. Contact tracing continues for those over 13 years, including those attending post primary schools.

If there are particular outbreaks of concern in educational facilities, Public Health teams will continue to provide support to schools should it be required and testing will remain available more broadly to children should it be required on public health or clinical grounds or following a Public Health Risk Assessment.

The Department of Health and the HSE, working in collaboration with the Department of Education has announced last week a programme in which antigen tests will be made available to children in primary schools, with effect from this week. 

Parents and Guardians of a primary school child, who is a confirmed case of COVID-19 following a PCR test, are asked to inform their school’s principal. The school principal will then inform the parents of other children in the pod of a confirmed case. No personal details of the child will be shared. These parents will be provided with the option to receive free antigen tests for their child, which they will be able to order for delivery to their home. 

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