Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2021
476. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the arrangements that will be made for children with special needs that choose not to return to school over the coming weeks due to health reasons or underlying conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11725/21]
View answerMy Department is conscious of the fact that closing schools has hugely adverse consequences at individual, family and societal level and that the effect on children with special educational needs can be even greater.
Building on the return to school in recent weeks of children in special schools and in special classes at primary and post-primary level, the Government has decided on a phased return of students to in-school education.
These further phases have been developed in close collaboration with education stakeholders and follow ongoing engagement with the Department of Health and Public Health, HSE.
The Department of Health and the HSE have reaffirmed that schools in themselves are low risk environments and that a gradual phased reopening can occur at this time. Public health has reviewed the measures put in place to ensure safe operation of schools and is satisfied that these infection prevention and control measures, if rigorously adhered to, will keep the school community safe during this period. They emphasise that all measures must be followed carefully by students, staff and parents.
There will be a period of time between each phase to assess the impact of reopening on aspects of community transmission.
The phased return of students to in-school education and the associated target dates are as follows:
Monday 1 March the first four class groups at primary level – junior and senior infants, first and second class – and final year Leaving Certificate students returned to in-school provision. This phase also saw a return to full attendance for children in special schools, as well as children in early start preschool classes and early intervention special classes for children with autism or hearing impairment.
Monday 15 March the return to in-school provision of the rest of primary school children – third to sixth class, and fifth year Leaving Certificate students. This date will be reviewed during the period following 1 March.
Monday 12 April the return to in-school education of the rest of post-primary students following the Easter break – i.e. first to fourth year students.
It is expected that all children will return with their class groupings on the target dates as outlined. My Department has published guidance to support schools in making adapted education provision for students with an underlying medical condition who cannot return to school because they are medically certified as being at very high risk to COVID-19.
The guidance for primary and post schools on supporting such students is available via the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/a128d-back-to-school/
The safe return and sustained safe re-opening of our schools is a key priority for Government.
