Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 October 2020
31. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Education if she will provide guidelines for schools, parents and children in which the parents of a schoolgoing child are considered high risk in terms of Covid-19 and by sending their children to school they are putting their own health at risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30085/20]
View answer43. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the measures taken to support the learning of students with high- or very high-risk family members who are not comfortable attending school; and the measures to be taken going forward if Covid-19 cases continue to rise. [30267/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 43 together.
My Department is aware that some parents and children have had concerns about returning to school. My Department has developed and prepared a comprehensive response to supporting the wellbeing of school communities at this time. NEPS will work with schools to support them to meet the needs of their students on their return to school.
The HPSC has produced guidance in relation to the return to school for at risk groups. It outlines that children with immediate family members, including parents, in both the ‘high risk’ and ‘very high risk’ categories can return to school and it is important for the child’s overall well-being.
This is consistent with public health advice internationally in relation to at-risk family members. The guidance is available at the following link.
https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/educationguidance/HSE%20advice%20on%20return%20to%20school.pdf
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, which has been highly effective to date. Schools are proving to be safe places for children and this is recognised by public health teams who have acknowledged that schools are successfully implementing the HPSC recommendations and keeping transmission levels very low.
The key priority however is that the household continues to follow all current advice on how to minimise the risk of coronavirus, through regular hand washing, cough etiquette etc.
