Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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753. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on matters raised by a person (details supplied) in correspondence in relation Covid-19 restrictions in special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1032/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Keeping all schools open for in school teaching and learning continues to be a priority for Government. Extensive guidance and supports are in place to support schools in this regard. 

My Department recognises that schools will continue to require additional substitute cover in the period leading up to the mid-term break to assist in dealing with absences during this phase of the pandemic. A range of measures have been put in place to support schools in this regard.

 Schools have been advised that they should maximise the provision of in-person teaching and learning for as many students as possible in these circumstances.  Where a school continues to experience difficulties in sourcing sufficient substitute cover, they are advised to contact the Department;s dedicated helpline and an Inspector will provide further support. This helpline will operate from Monday-Friday 08.00-19.00 and Saturday and Sunday 14.00-19.00 during this period.  Additionally they have been advised that, as a minimum, they should remain open for in-person teaching for children with special educational needs in both special schools and special classes and for children with special educational needs in mainstream classes.

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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754. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to safety in schools during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1034/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has always been guided by public health advice in relation to appropriate Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures in place in schools. I recognise the importance to students of in-school teaching and learning and the need for all in the school community to have regard to the measures in place to support school communities to operate in line with Public Health advice.

Throughout the pandemic and over the Christmas period, the Department has continued to engage with public health authorities. Public Health has fully reviewed the measures in effect in schools.  Public Health has confirmed that there is no change to these infection prevention and control measures to support the safe operation of schools. 

Public Health continues to advise that the two most important actions to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 (and other respiratory viruses), are:

- ensuring no-one with new onset symptoms attends school, and;

- that all recommended infection prevention and control measures are in place in line with school COVID-19 response plans.  

These measures protect students, their parents and school staff and are very effective. Public Health remains of the view that these mitigation measures are effective and appropriate. 

Contact tracing remains in place for primary school age children who are household close contacts. Any child who is identified by the HSE as a household close contact however, has to restrict their movements and not attend school.   

In addition, from the end of November 2021 antigen testing has been introduced in primary schools in circumstances where children are part of a classroom pod, where there is a confirmed case of COVID-19.  Offering antigen tests to children who are identified as part of a pod, is an additional measure to support parents and schools. Where there are two cases in a class in more than one pod within a seven days period, antigen testing will be provided to every child in the class. Approximately 190,000 antigen test kits have been distributed to date.

Contact tracing continues in respect of pupils/students in special education settings, and in respect of students in post-primary education.

The introduction and recommendation for the use of face masks for children from 9 upwards (3rd Class) is also an additional mitigation measure introduced in primary schools, while at post primary the wearing of face masks has been in place since September 2020.  My Department’s Inspectorate also carry out visits to schools to support their compliance with important infection prevention and control measures outlined in their respective covid-19 response plans.