Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
827. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the length of time that teachers who are pregnant will be exempted from returning to the classroom setting in view of a number of recent stillbirths which may have been related to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14016/21]
View answerThe general principles to apply to the management of COVID-19 includes the safety and welfare of teachers and other school staff and the minimisation of the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning. The current COVID-19 arrangements in place for teachers are outlined in my Department’s Circular Letter 0049/2020.
The HSE has recently published guidance for the education sector in respect of pregnant employees and my Department is currently seeking clarifications from the HSE on this guidance.
When my Department has considered the HSE clarifications, any changes to the current working arrangements for pregnant teachers will be communicated to employers.
In the meantime, a pregnant teacher should temporarily continue to work remotely i.e. working from home.
The current temporary arrangements for pregnant teachers employed in post primary schools during the partial re-opening period are outlined in my Department’s Information Note TC 0007/2021. The current temporary arrangements for pregnant teachers employed in recognised primary schools are outlined in my Department’s Information Note TC 0010/2021.
