Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
515. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the way in which testing and tracing will run in the context of post-primary schools opening for three days a week to facilitate sixth year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1632/21]
View answerThe Government decision, taken on 6 January, on foot of public health advice, was to close schools for the vast majority of students for a period of three weeks, with certain exceptions. This decision was to support the overall public health objective to limit the movement of people in society while aiming to protect certain groups who would be more adversely impacted by school closure.
The Government’s decision included prioritising in-person teaching and learning for two specific cohorts; pupils/ students attending special schools and classes and final year Leaving Certificate students. This decision was supported by the public health advice available to Government. Furthermore, public health had given their commitment that testing for close contacts and contact tracing would continue to be provided to those in school settings, and that the public health arrangements that had been in place for schools prior to Christmas would continue, including the enhanced public health teams that are in place in each public health area.
There has been continuous engagement with education partners on this matter since Christmas building on weekly engagements between partners and public health throughout the school year. Despite the confirmation by Public Health that schools remain safe, unfortunately it was not proved possible to get agreement to provide in-person learning for these groups.
In these circumstances there was no alternative but to pause the limited reopening on Monday 11th January and all pupils and students, including children with special needs, will be provided with a programme of remote learning.
Engagements with the Education Partners and the Department of Education continue so that solutions can be found to provide a full return to school for all children at the earliest opportunity, particularly for priority cohorts.
