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Legislative Measures

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2020

Wednesday, 20 May 2020

Questions (207)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

207. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the legislation which may be required for the education sector in order to complete that part of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business published on 3 May 2020. [5948/20]

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Written answers

The Roadmap for Re-opening Society and Business sets out how Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted. In Phase 1 of the Roadmap, which commenced on 18 May, teachers are allowed access to school buildings for the purpose of organising and distributing remote learning. This access will continue in Phase 2 of the Roadmap.

Phase 5 of the Roadmap, scheduled to commence on 10 August, provides for the phased re-opening of educational institutions including schools, third level institutions and adult education centres for the beginning of the new academic year. Decisions on the re-opening educational institutions will be guided by the public health advice applicable at that time and will have regard to the National Return to Work Protocol also.

My Department has commenced engagements with relevant stakeholders to assist with the development of contingency plans that may be necessary for the operation of schools in an environment that may require social distancing, hand washing arrangements and other measures. This work will be informed also by experience from other jurisdictions.

I attended the meeting of EU education Ministers on May 18th where the approaches being taken in Member States was discussed and I will continue to engage at this level so that experiences in other countries can inform our approach.

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