Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
388. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the rules for face masks for primary school children apply to afterschools; when guidelines on face masks will be available to the childcare and afterschool sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60368/21]
View answerThroughout the course of the pandemic, very few outbreaks of Covid-19 have been detected in early learning and care (ELC) or school-age childcare (SAC) settings. In the current stage of the pandemic, we are experiencing a high incidence rate of Covid-19 in children aged 5-12 years. It is often difficult to detect Covid-19 outbreaks in ELC/SAC or school settings due to the relative lack of symptoms in children, and therefore asymptomatic spread of Covid-19 may be occurring in these settings. In order to try and reduce transmission among these age groups and among ELC/SAC sector and school staff, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and the Government issued Interim Guidance on the use of face coverings in Childcare and Educational Settings on 30th November 2021.
This latest advice recommends the wearing of face masks/coverings in children in the following situations:
- Children aged 9 years and over on public transport, in retail and other indoor public settings, with exemptions as appropriate
- Children in third class and above in primary educational settings
- In certain situations, the use of clear visors should be considered, for example staff interacting with children with hearing difficulties or learning difficulties. However, it is accepted that visors are less effective than face-coverings in preventing transmission.
A memo was issued by my Department on 2nd December to ELC and SAC providers, including childminders, based on the updated advice published on 30th November. The memo noted that:
- At this point in time, there is no change in the public health guidance on adults wearing masks in ELC/SAC settings: staff members, parents and visitors should all wear face masks/coverings when not caring for children and where social distancing is not possible.
- In line with the Interim Guidance issued on 30th November, it has been advised that children 9 years of age and older should wear face masks/coverings when it does not interfere with their care and active engagement.
- On this basis, the use of face masks/coverings for children 9 years of age and older in ELC/SAC settings is not mandatory but advised. Therefore, settings will have to use their professional judgement in relation to operationalising the guidance in consultation with parents.
- During transport to and from ELC and SAC services, face masks/coverings should be worn by children over 9 years of age where this is not a barrier to communication with the driver or those caring for them.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has stated that cloth face coverings should not be worn by any of the following groups:
- Children aged less than 9 years of age in primary educational settings or pre-school.
- Any person with difficulty breathing or other relevant medical conditions.
- Any person who is unconscious or incapacitated.
- Any person who is unable to remove the face-covering without assistance.
- Any person who has special needs and who may feel upset or very uncomfortable wearing the face covering, for example persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, sensory concerns or tactile sensitivity.
