Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 July 2020
183. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of visiting teachers under the public health provision for schools for September 2020 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19269/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Monday, the 27th July, my Department published the report to Government “Reopening Our Schools, The Roadmap for the Full Return to School”.
This Roadmap set outs how schools will reopen for all students from the end of August and what the operation of our schools will look like and be sustainable in a COVID-19 context. It has been developed in line with public health advice issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the Roadmap for Society and Business, and follows comprehensive and intensive engagement with education stakeholders including the school management bodies and staff representatives.
The completion and implementation of the Covid-19 Response Plan by a school is the organisational means through which the school community can best prevent the introduction and spread of Covid-19 in the school environment and is a very important living document which will be adapted over time to reflect the evolving COVID-19 context. The school response plan will contain measures that must be followed by visitors to schools including visiting teachers referred to by the Deputy.
Visiting teachers will be able to access schools similar to substitute teachers or shared Special Educational Needs teachers.
All visitors to a school, whether they be teachers or others, must observe the control measures in place as part of the school’s COVID Response plan.
