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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021

Thursday, 1 July 2021

Questions (46)

Denis Naughten

Question:

46. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education if she will issue a circular to schools to allow the live broadcast of lessons to leaving certificate students outside the school building who will not be able to physically return to school with their peers due to the need to cocoon due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35169/21]

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Written answers

Schools have put significant measures in place to reduce the risk of coronavirus being transmitted to/within the school and significant funding has been provided to support schools in this respect. The evidence to date from a public health perspective is that schools are low risk environments. The approach to Covid-19 in schools is led by the advice and guidance of the HSE Public Health.

The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has issued specific advice about children attending school in the context of covid-19. This advice covers both children with underlying medical conditions and children living with family members with underlying conditions. For all children, care should continue to be taken to reduce transmission through the measures promoted by HPSC.

The HPSC advice advises that children with immediate family members, including parents, in both the ‘high risk’ and ‘very high risk’ categories can return to school and it is important for the child’s overall well-being. This is consistent with public health advice internationally in relation to at-risk family members. The priority is that the household continues to follow all current advice on how to minimise the risk of coronavirus, through regular hand washing, etc.

Live streaming of classes does not arise where categories of students are expected to be in school. The guidance is available at the following link:

www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/educationguidance/

My Department has also 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 post-primary schools on supporting such students is available via the following link:

assets.gov.ie/86732/17f3cc49-72ad-4986-98fc-51037d93369e.pdf

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