Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
413. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education her views on the instruction by the Department to a school (details supplied) to remain open despite a high number of Covid-19 cases associated with the school. [44759/20]
View answerIn the case referred to by the Deputy, where a covid-19 positive case connected with a school arose, public health contacted the school and undertook a public health risk assessment to identify the actions required. The response to confirmed cases or outbreaks of Covid-19 in the school was led and managed by Public Health HSE. Schools are advised to follow the recommendations of the public health specialists in these circumstances.
This practice ensures that no principal or board of management is burdened with the responsibility of making public health decisions in relation to their school. The public health response to schools this term has been enhanced by the HSE through the increased resourcing of existing School Teams in each HSE area. A dedicated phone number 'HSE live Covid-19 Principal school line is provided by the HSE for school principals to ring in circumstances where they need assistance from Public Health in relation to a confirmed case of Covid-19 within their school community.
The Department of Education is available to provide support to schools if they have concerns or are unsure of what course of action to take. My Department engages with schools to provide support when dealing with Covid-19.
It should be noted that to date there the public health evidence shows that schools are safe places and that the risk of Covid-19 has been managed very well within the school environment.
