The interim public health advice received by my Department sets out the key public health requirements that will be required for a safe full reopening of schools in late August/September and the measures that will be required to achieve this.
The residential element of boarding schools are privately run operations and do not fall within the remit of my Department. Consequently, the information requested by the Deputy is not available. Schools must ensure that on reopening the boarding element of a school adheres to public health advice, the government's Roadmap for reopening society and business, and the Return to Work Safely protocol.
This public health advice will underpin ongoing engagements with education partners and stakeholders in terms of planning and providing guidance for schools in relation to logistical, curricular and wellbeing arrangements. This ongoing work includes consideration of financial supports and providing a drawdown framework to be established to enable schools purchase hand-sanitisers and PPE for use in the school and classroom. The procurement process for this framework has already commenced and it is intended these materials will be available in early August.
My Department’s ongoing work with education partners and other key stakeholders on guidance for reopening schools is aimed at reducing the burden on schools at a local level by providing central guidance and supports to the greatest extent possible by the end of July in order to allow time for schools to implement the necessary arrangements locally.
