Brendan Griffin
Ceist:112. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the reopening of schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12725/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 30 June 2020
Ceisteanna (112)
Freagraí scríofa
I am aware of the challenges that are being encountered in the English language education sector and the substantial impact that the Covid-19 outbreak has had on its students, teachers and providers.
My Department has been engaging with the representatives bodies of English language education providers across a range of issues over the course of the Covid-19 outbreak to date. This includes the body of which the provider in question is a member. These engagements have included discussions and information exchanges surrounding the reopening of this sector.
The timeline and arrangements for the safe re-opening of English language education providers is guided by public health advice and by the Government's Roadmap for the gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. Following its re-phasing, the re-opening of all adult education facilities is now part of Phase 3 of the Roadmap, which allows these facilities to re-open from 29 June.
While my Department will not be issuing guidelines specifically for the re-opening of the English language education sector, guidance to assist the tertiary education sector more generally in planning for reopening is being prepared at present and will be available shortly. My Department will further engage with the provider representative bodies within the English language education sector in relation to their detailed plans for the wider re-opening of their premises and as they seek to provide greater clarity for their member providers. It is to be expected that ensuring the health and safety of staff and students will be central to the provider's plans and that necessary consultations are undertaken as part of their development and implementation. It is anticipated that the "Return to Work Safely Protocol" recently published jointly by the Department of Health and the Department of Enterprise, Business & Innovation, and designed to support measures being put in place that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace will inform these plans, supplemented by any guidance issued by the Department for the tertiary education sector when available. This protocol envisions close engagement between staff and their employers during the planning, development and implementation of these new workplace measures. The experience of the re-opening of educational facilities in other areas and jurisdictions will also inform this process.