Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
122. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if English as a foreign language courses will be permitted to return to operation sooner than regular primary and secondary school operations in view of the fact that these settings involve the education of adults that may seek to join the workforce and need this qualification as a requirement to work in certain jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9813/20]
View answerI am aware of the challenges that are being encountered in the English language education (ELE) sector and the substantial impact that the Covid-19 outbreak has had on students, teachers and providers in this sector.
On May 1st, the Taoiseach announced the roadmap for the gradual lifting of the current Covid-19 restrictions. This roadmap sets out a number of phases with the re-opening of the wider education system contained in the later phases to coincide broadly with the beginning of the new academic year. There is no proposal at present to allow reopening of the ELE sector in advance of any other element of the educational sector and it is important to note that all decisions taken by Government on the timing of any lifting of restrictions as envisaged in phases 2 to 5 of the roadmap will be balanced and guided in the first instance by the public health advice at that time.
My Department will engage with provider representatives within the English language education sector as they develop more detailed plans for the re-opening of their premises. It is to be expected that ensuring the health and safety of staff and students will be central to the provider's plans and that necessary consultations will be undertaken as part of their development. It is anticipated that the "Return to Work Safely Protocol" recently published jointly by the Department of Health and the Department of Enterprise, Business & Innovation, and designed to support measures being put in place that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace will be used to inform these plans. Experience of the re-opening of educational facilities in other jurisdictions will also be relevant.
During this current period of closure, it is my understanding that English language education providers have continued to provide services to their students via alternative arrangements including the delivery of classes online.
