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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 September 2020

Wednesday, 23 September 2020

Questions (132)

Niall Collins

Question:

132. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if a series of matters raised in a joint submission by two schools (details supplied) will addressed; if the schools will receive assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25937/20]

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Written answers

My Department has published a suite of helpful guidance for the safe and sustainable reopening of schools. Each school is required to have a COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe operation through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in line with public health advice. This guidance is focused on the practical steps schools must take to minimise the risk of transmission of infection. This guidance has been developed in line with public health advice issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

Government policy, which is based on official public health advice, is to avoid non – essential travel, other than to countries on the ‘Green List’ where the advice is to take normal precautions.

It is a requirement for anyone coming into Ireland, from locations other than those with a rating of ‘normal precautions’ (“green”), to restrict their movements for 14 days, and this includes school staff, parents and children or other students coming from abroad to attend school in Ireland. Restricting your movements means staying indoors in one location and avoiding contact with other people and social situations as much as possible.

The school has a duty of care to all of its pupils and staff members. Where a person – staff member or pupil - has not observed the mandatory requirement to self-isolate for 14 days following return from a non-green list country, it is reasonable for the school to refuse access to the pupil or staff member for this period.

The Department is in direct contact with these schools to provide assistance and guidance in implementing public health measures.

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