Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:432. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the action she has taken to support school principals who continue to navigate Covid-19 cases in their schools. [7663/22]
View answerTuesday, 15 February 2022
Questions (432, 433)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:433. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the status of the Covid-19 mitigation measures she is implementing to ensure safety in school settings. [7664/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 433 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. Schools continue to operate in line with their Covid-19 Response Plans, which set out a range of mitigation measures focused on keeping Covid-19 out of schools and reducing the risk of the spread of infection in schools. These measures have worked very effectively to prevent and control Covid-19 in schools and to protect pupils/students, their parents and school staff.
The Covid-19 capitation grant continues to be the mechanism through which funding will be provided for school costs related to the implementation of infection prevention and control measures. The Department of Education has committed to ensuring that the full range of measures necessary to allow schools operate safely in the Covid-19 environment will continue to be available for the 2021/22 school year and has provided a further €109 million to date.
Public Health continue to advise that the two most important actions to prevent the introduction and spread of Covid-19 (and other respiratory viruses) is by ensuring that no-one with new onset symptoms attend school, and that all recommended infection prevention and control measures are in place in line with the school Covid-19 Response Plans.
Public Health have also confirmed that there is no change to infection prevention and control measures in place in schools at this time, but that they will be reviewed by mid-term in February. Any changes to public health advice for schools will be communicated to schools.
Question No. 433 answered with Question No. 432.