Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
806. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she has engaged with special schools on possible further restrictions; if her Department has looked at ways in which special schools could remain open if schools had to close due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33443/20]
View answerThe Department of Health in recent days has advised my Department that the schools remaining opening during LEVEL 5 restrictions has been afforded careful consideration by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). In recommending that schools remain open at the present time, even in the current trajectory of the disease, the NPHET has considered the national experience of school reopening to date, including the epidemiological data and information gathered through case and outbreak management.
The experience of public health to date is that transmission rates of Covid-19 in schools are low, much lower than the rate currently in the community. This is a result of the effectiveness of the public health guidelines for schools and the successful implementation and adherence of all in the school community to the guidelines.
My Department has been in comprehensive and ongoing engagement with all education stakeholders including the school management bodies and staff representatives for the purposes of ensuring that all schools, including special schools can continue to operate in a safe and sustainable way for both pupils and staff.
