Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 June 2022
83. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the forward planning that is being carried out in her Department to address and combat the spread of Covid-19 variants and other communicable diseases in school environments in the coming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34897/22]
View answerMy Department is at all times guided by public health advice as to the appropriate infection and prevention control measures to be implemented in schools to both prevent the introduction of Covid-19 into school settings and to minimise its impact if Covid-19 occurs.
Funding for enhanced cleaning regimes and PPE has remained in place in schools. The Department is continuing to work closely with all of the education partners and public health specialists so that schools will be supported in implementing any measures that are deemed appropriate by public health authorities for the 2022/23 school year.
Keeping Covid-19 out of schools as far as possible is still the key approach to the operation of our schools as we continue to live with Covid-19. The key message for students, their parents and staff is to stay away from school if you have Covid-19 symptoms and to follow the HSE advice in all instances.
