Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 September 2021
141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she remains satisfied that children and teachers are safely and adequately protected from Covid-19 throughout the autumn and winter months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45600/21]
View answerMy Department has always been guided by Public Health in relation to appropriate Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures that have been put in place in schools to operate safely and prevent the introduction of Covid-19 and also the onward of transmission of Covid-19 among the school community. These measures protect pupils/students, their parents and school staff and are very effective when adhered to.
My Department wrote to all schools in August providing details of the arrangements that are in place for this school year. These arrangements included the provision of CO2 monitors to assist schools with managing ventilation. Significant additional resources of €639m were put into schools in the last academic year to keep schools safe. These resources provided for additional principal release days for primary principals and deputy principals, expansion of teacher supply panels to provide for additional substitute requirements and additional teaching posts at post primary level to facilitate physical distancing measures in line with public health advice and these measures are remaining in place for this school year.
Each school is also required to have a COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe operation through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in line with public health advice. This guidance is focused on the practical steps schools must take to minimise the risk of transmission of infection, including physical distancing measures and reducing the risk of congregation of students. It is a matter for each individual school to implement these measures locally taking into account its individual circumstances such as school layout.
The infection prevention and control measures in place in schools have worked very effectively to prevent and control Covid-19 in schools. The Department will continue to work closely with public health officials and the education stakeholders in respect of the safe operation of schools during Covid-19.
