Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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414. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if antigen testing will be extended to post-primary schools and not just primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61846/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Ensuring that schools can remain open and continue to operate safely has been a key priority for the Department of Education. The Department has always been guided by public health advice in relation to appropriate COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures in place in schools. These measures protect students/pupils, their parents and school staff and are very effective when adhered to.

The Department of Health and the HSE, working in collaboration with the Department of Education recently announced a programme in which antigen tests will be made available to children in primary schools. These arrangements for students and staff in post primary schools are identical to those in place for confirmed cases and close contacts in the wider society.

Schools are still required to undertake the two most important actions to prevent the introduction and spread of Covid-19 (and other respiratory viruses), by ensuring no-one with new acute symptoms attend class, and that all recommended infection prevention and control measures are in place in line with school Covid response plans.