Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
453. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education her views on the number of second level students who hear public health advice saying that schools are safe yet they do not feel safe; her views on the fact many students say they feel excluded from the decision on school openings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9942/21]
View answerThe Government has always been guided by public health advice in relation to what is safe in schools. Public health remain of the view that schools are low risk environments and that the infection prevention and control measures in place in school are effective but recognise there is an ongoing need to reduce societal activity and movement to curb the spread of the virus at this time.
The CMO has made it very clear in his advices to Government which are published on gov.ie, that schools are safe environments, with very little evidence of transmission within schools, and that the majority of infections of children and adolescents occurs outside the school setting. The decision to delay the reopening of schools was in recognition of the need to reduce societal activity and movement to curb the spread of the virus at a time where there was unprecedented levels of disease transmission in the community. This was not based on a changed assessment of the risks in relation to transmission levels in schools.
Intensive engagement and input from education partners representing parents, students, unions, management bodies and principal networks on the plans for the phased reopening of schools has been ongoing. The voice of students is represented in those ongoing engagements by the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU).
My Department has developed a plan with the relevant education stakeholders for the phased return to in-school learning for children in primary, post-primary and special schools. From the 1 March the first four classes at primary level – junior and senior infants, first and second class – and final year Leaving Certificate students will return to school. This phase will also see a return to full attendance for children in special schools. This is in addition to the reopening of special schools on 11 February on a 50% attendance basis and all special classes reopened fully from 22 February.
The full re-opening of our schools for all students in line with public health advice remains a top priority for Government and my Department is focussing on the safe return of all remaining cohorts of pupils and students to school at the earliest opportunity in March, with the last group of post primary students set to return to school after the Easter Break.
