Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2020
233. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the number of full school closures that have occurred since reopening due to the Covid-19 pandemic; the length of time schools were to close for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37710/20]
View answerThe 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.
As of 16 November a total of 731 education facilities (primary, post primary and special education facilities) have undergone mass testing following Public Health Risk Assessment.
The positivity rate of close contacts testing in educational facilities including primary, post-primary and special educational needs facilities as of this date is 2.5% with 19,264 close contacts tested. This low positivity rate has led in the main to a group of students or a class having to restrict their movements in line with public health advice rather than school closures. The comparable rate in the community is 10%.
It is the view of Public Health that the evidence available to date shows that schools are proving to be safe spaces for children and for the staff. Schools are working hard to implement the public health advice which is proving to be effective in keeping transmission levels in schools so low.
