Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
256. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement he has had with school management at primary and post-primary level, respectively, to source additional accommodation to facilitate Covid-19 social distancing rules from September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7907/20]
View answerOn the 1st May 2020, the Taoiseach announced as part of the "Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business" that schools will commence opening on a phased basis at the beginning of the 2020/2021 academic year. The Department is currently working with the Education Partners and relevant stakeholders in planning for this re-opening which will be based on public health advice. As part of this engagement, each of the education partners were given the opportunity to outline the key issues that they would like to have considered in the context of re-opening schools. These will now be worked through in detail as part of the development of the roadmap for reopening schools. The Department is conscious of the need for early clarity on key issues in order to facilitate and support planning for schools re-opening in September.
A core objective will be to ensure that schools and other education settings can re-open and operate in a safe manner that is consistent with public health advice.
