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’: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a0bff-reopening-our-primary-and-special-schools/
This guidance provides that the HSE Department of Public Health will liaise directly with schools regarding any actions to be taken following a Public Health Risk Assessment.
My Department does not collect data in relation to the specific instances of COVID-19 in the school community. There has been no instances of where schools were required to close based on insufficient pupil to teacher ratios.
The Roadmap for the Full Return to School, along with a financial package of over €375 million to support its implementation, included provisions for additional staffing for schools. This funding supported schools to employ replacement teaching staff, SNA and administrative staff and also included funding for substitution to cover temporary teacher absences.
My Department is also engaging with Education Partners on the publication of further guidance for schools in situations where a partial or full closure is advised Public Health authorities.
