On Monday, the 27th July, my Department published the report to Government “Reopening Our Schools, The Roadmap for the Full Return to School”.
This Roadmap set outs how schools will reopen for all students from the end of August and what the operation of our schools will look like and be sustainable in a COVID-19 context. It has been developed in line with public health advice issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the Roadmap for Society and Business, and follows comprehensive and intensive engagement with education stakeholders including the school management bodies and staff representatives.
Reopening schools safely for all children and staff has been my number one priority since I became Minister. The Government has approved a package of supports to provide what is required for the safe reopening of schools.
The supports are comprehensive across a range of areas, including funding for getting schools ready, for providing for additional supervision and substitution, and providing additional teachers to help with physical distancing and class sizes. Funding will also be provided for management supports and enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures.
The Roadmap for the Full Return to School also sets out in detail how physical distancing can be applied in primary and post primary settings, using the principles outlined in the public health advice. The implementation of these measures will be supported by funding through the once off enhanced minor works grant.