I propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 434 together.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the HSE have published guidance for managing potential cases of COVID-19 in educational settings which includes the testing strategy within an educational facility ‘Schools Pathway for COVID-19, the Public Health approach’
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a0bff-reopening-our-primary-and-special-schools/.
My Department contacted all schools on 27th August to advise of the publication of the schools pathway document for management of COVID-19 within the school community. A key to this response is the ability of the public health professionals to contact schools where a suspected case arises. In certain instances this may include out of hours, in the evening or at weekends.
My Department wrote to school principals on the 8th September requesting a mobile number for a designated contact, preferably the School Principal, who can be contacted in the event of a suspected case. My Department has also requested schools to have a summary of key information to assist Public Health in their Public Health Risk Assessment ready to be provided on request.