Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
687. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the National Public Health Emergency Team targets for Covid-19 numbers here that will influence the ability of schools to remain open after August 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20400/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra688. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the use and influence of Covid-19 antibody testing results in making the decision to reopen primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20406/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 687 and 688 together.
On Monday, 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. Public health advice issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) does not require antibody testing for schools to reopen.
Reopening schools safely for all children and staff has been my number one priority since I became Minister. The Government has approved a package of supports to provide what is required for the safe reopening of schools.
I understand how important our schools are for the whole of society, and most of all for all of the children who have not been at school since March. The Roadmap published on Monday sets out how schools will reopen for all students from the end of August. It gives clarity to schools on what they need to do, and gives clarity to us all on what the operation of our schools will look like, and how this will be sustainable, in a COVID-19 context.
The roadmap has been developed in line with public health advice issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), and the safety and wellbeing of the entire school community is at its core.
In addition to the Roadmap, I published a template Covid-19 Response Plans for schools. These plans provides clear and practical guidance and support to schools on the safety measures that need to be put in place to bring everyone back to school safely.
