Seán Sherlock
Question:993. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if high risk staff are to return to second-level schools especially those with underlying conditions or are pregnant. [19018/21]
View answerWednesday, 21 April 2021
Questions (993)
Written answers
The general principles to apply to the management of COVID-19 includes the safety and welfare of school staff and the minimisation of the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning. The current COVID-19 arrangements in place for teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are outlined in my Department’s Circular Letter 0021/2021.
My Department has an enhanced Occupational Health Service (OHS) in place, to provide employers with occupational health advice in relation to a teacher/SNAs’ fitness for work. The current OHS provider has a process in place for school staff with health concerns about their risk of serious illness from contracting COVID-19, through workplace attendance.
A detailed on-line questionnaire is submitted by the teacher/SNA to the OHS, along with detailed medical evidence to provide clarity with respect to the medical complaint(s) in question. All of this information is reviewed by the OHS specialist occupational health physician, including the combined and cumulative risk that can arise when a teacher/SNA suffers from more than one health condition. The risk categorisation is comprehensive and follows the same process that is being applied across other sectors. A teacher/SNA is categorised by the OHS into one of three COVID-19 risk categories. These are ‘Normal Risk’, High Risk’, and ‘Very High Risk’. The outcome of the risk categorisation is governed by the HSE guidance. My Department is following the same guidance that is in use across the public sector.
Based on HSE advice, a teacher/SNA categorised by the OHS as ‘Very High Risk’ must not attend the workplace. However he/she remains available for work and the employer should prioritise alternative working arrangements to the maximum extent possible e.g. working from home.
Upon the full re-opening of post primary schools from 15th March 2021, a teacher/SNA in the ‘high risk’ group who is medically fit for work must attend the workplace. Employers are required to have a COVID-19 Response Plan in place. The Plan outlines the arrangements in place to ensure a safe workplace for all employees. The employee in the ‘high risk’ group should take extra care to practice social distancing and hand hygiene. Face coverings and personal protective equipment should also be used where maintaining social distancing is difficult. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) issued specific advice in respect of SNAs, which sets out clearly how a safe working environment can be maintained for SNAs in schools. See link to HPSC advice at: - ‘Guidance for Schools regarding Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) supporting children and young people with additional care needs in the context of COVID-19' .
The HSE has published guidance for the education sector in respect of pregnant teachers and SNAs. 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 and SNAs will be communicated to employers.
In the meantime, a pregnant teacher or SNA should temporarily continue to work remotely i.e. working from home.