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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022

Tuesday, 25 January 2022

Questions (379, 387)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

379. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that whilst provision is in place for children who are high-risk to be home-schooled there is no provision for parents who are deemed high-risk and who are in contact with each person their child is being exposed to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3205/22]

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Róisín Shortall

Question:

387. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the arrangements in place for students who cannot attend school due to the fact that they are immunocompromised or live with a person who is immunocompromised; the remote learning options available in this instance; the guidance for parents and staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3392/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 387 together.

My Department has always been guided by public health advice in relation to appropriate Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures in place in schools. These measures protect students/pupils, their parents and school staff and are very effective when adhered to.

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 infection control measures promoted by HPSC.

The HPSC advice provides that children with immediate family members, including parents, in both the ‘high risk’ and ‘very high risk’ categories can attend 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.

With regard to the provision of education for children who are extremely vulnerable to Covid-19, my Department has published guidance in relation to students who have been medically certified as being at very high risk from Covid-19. As that guidance indicates, it is the responsibility of parents/guardians to seek medical advice and certification to indicate if their child is at very high risk to Covid-19 and to inform the school of this. Where a school receives such medical certification, it will organise the most appropriate support for the student concerned. The guidance sets out a number of options for schools to facilitate adapted education provision for students at very high risk to Covid-19.

The wellbeing of all students is a fundamental element of my Department’s overall plan in sustaining the safe and effective operation of schools as we continue to manage the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this context the National Psychological Service of the Department (NEPS) is leading on supporting the wellbeing of schools communities. The response to support the wellbeing of all within school communities on the return to school requires a structured, psychosocial response which is compassionate, largely preventative and proactive. This requires a whole-school team approach to planning in order to ensure that staff, students and parents feel safe and secure. The Department’s response is aligned with the HSE guidance and based on the five key principles of promoting a sense of safety, calm, connectedness, self- and community-efficacy and hope.

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