Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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468. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when she anticipates that schools will see a corresponding easing of measures that have been put in place over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4444/22]

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. Public Health continue to advise that the two most important actions to prevent the introduction and spread of Covid-19 (and other respiratory viruses), is by ensuring no-one with new onset symptoms attend school, and that all recommended infection prevention and control measures are in place in line with school Covid-19 response plans.  

Public Health have also confirmed that there is no change to infection prevention and control measures in place in schools at this time, but that they will be reviewed by mid-term in February.  The infection prevention and control measures in place in schools have worked very effectively to prevent and control Covid-19 in schools.

Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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469. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has a central monitoring system to collect data on teacher absences due to Covid-19; if so, the number of teachers that were recorded absent in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4475/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has a centralised system, known as the Online Claims System (OLCS) which records absences, including COVID-19 related absences for teachers and non-teaching staff who are employed in recognised primary, secondary and, community and comprehensive schools.  Absences for teachers employed in ETB schools are not recorded on the OLCS, as they have their own separate payroll systems.

For teachers paid on my Department’s Payroll system, COVID-19 related leave is recorded under 4 leave categories on the OLCS, as follows:-

1. Self-Isolation: Special Leave With Pay is granted where a teacher who is displaying COVID-19 symptoms has been advised to self-isolate.

2. Diagnosis: Special Leave With Pay is granted where a teacher has received a positive COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen depending on age, based on current HSE advice).

3. Restricted Movement: Teacher who is required to restrict their movements, in line with HSE advice, is facilitated to work from home.

4. Very High Risk: Teacher who is categorised by the Occupational Health Service as ‘Very High Risk’ of serious illness from contracting COVID-19, is facilitated to work from home.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of teachers absent on COVID-19 related leave in respect of 2020 and 2021 is attached.  Similar data for 2022 is not yet available in my Department.

Covid-19 Related Leave Totals (excludes ETBs)