Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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72. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the guidance for mask-wearing in a classroom in which there is a hard of hearing child who requires lip reading to effectively engage and communicate with their teacher and classmates. [60648/21]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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73. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some general practitioners will not provide medical certificates for children to obtain exemptions from mask wearing in primary school (details supplied); and the actions parents should take in this situation. [60649/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.

The Department has provided guidance for schools, including publishing an FAQ to assist schools engage with parents where there are particular difficulties arising for individual children. Where issues arise, schools will engage pragmatically and sensitively with parents to explore any particular difficulties arising for an individual child. The FAQ can be found at the following link here

The guidance recognises 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, schools do not require medical certification to provide an exemption to the wearing of face coverings.

In the case of children who have a hearing impairment and or reply on lip reading, the guidance provides for schools to use visors or consider other solutions that do not present an impediment to communication.