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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Ceisteanna (722, 724, 726, 727, 729)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

722. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if temperature checks will be implemented for staff and students; the person or body that will be responsible for decision making on sending students home; the position if a parent refuses to take a child home; if it will be made mandatory for parents to keep children at home if a member of the household is showing symptoms; the person responsible for staying with the suspected Covid-19 case while waiting to be collected; if full PPE will be recommended in this instance; the person or body responsible for cleaning the room after use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20814/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

724. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the person or body responsible for cleaning in specialised classrooms such as home economics, woodwork, metalwork and others; the way in which the use of shared stationery and books will be monitored if sharing is necessary due to limited supplies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20816/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

726. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in whichspecial needs assistants, SNAs, in post-primary can move from class to class and student to student; if a panel of substitutes will be put in place for a particular area in order that no school is left struggling if an SNA has to self-isolate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20818/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

727. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if additional funding will be provided to increase the number of toilets and sinks available in schools that have one toilet and one sink for staff; if hot water will be provided in bathrooms for hand washing for schools without hot water; the way in which social distancing will work in staff areas, for example, staff room and staff toilets; if the wearing of uniforms will be suspended in view of the fact many children only have one and will not be able to wash it daily; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20819/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

729. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if school management will risk assess their building and put in place measures to avoid congregation such as at the sign-in desk, outside waiting on buses and parents congregating outside; if special needs assistants, SNAs, in primary schools are the adult supervising at these times; if they will be responsible for making sure this is adhered to; if there will be visits from an inspector to inspect the premises before opening and from time to time to ensure measures are being adhered to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20821/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On 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. 

My Department is also providing capital and current funding of an additional €377 million to support the safe and sustainable reopening of schools under the Roadmap. 

This funding includes €52 million for schools to put in place enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools. Enhanced grants are being made available for cleaning to schools with special classes and special schools.

 Funding of approx. €84.7 million so that schools can employ replacement teaching staff, SNA and administrative staff. There will be additional funding of €41.2 million, for substitution in primary schools. This will provide more certainty on the availability of substitutes for primary schools and cover substitutions that are not covered by existing schemes. The Supply Panel Scheme will be expanded nationwide and I am allocating 200 posts to provide substitute cover through these panels. The purpose of supply panels is to support schools to manage the sick leave and other absences by having a supply of teachers to meet substitution needs when required. Schools will continue to be able to access substitute teachers through the normal process, particularly if they are not connected to a supply panel.

 Other funding measures for primary schools include release days for teaching principals which equates to one release day per week and release time for deputy principals in primary schools with an admin principal.  

There is also funding of €40m for enhanced supervision for post primary schools to minimise the interaction of students from different classes, in line with public health advice. An additional 1,080 teaching posts at post-primary level at a cost of €53 million will be provided to support the important work of teaching and learning and provide additional teachers needed to support teacher substitution, management of physical distancing requirements by reallocating class timetables in schools to smaller groups class sizes where necessary.  

Funding of €4.2 million will also be made available to enable schools to employ an aide to assist with implementing logistical changes. €3.8m is being made available to ensure that schools have lead worker representatives, whose role is to support the school to limit the risk of COVID-19 infections. 

I also recognise that the full implementation of the COVID-19 Response Plans for Schools, and the Public Health Advice, may require some reconfiguration works within schools. To support this work, a once off enhanced minor works grant will paid to all primary schools by mid-August.  There is a one off €75 million capital allocation to support schools to prepare their buildings and classrooms for reopening including an uplift for schools with SEN pupils.

In providing funding to schools in this way, schools will have the necessary flexibility to implement necessary physical measures in their school quickly in compliance with the Public Health Advice and the Roadmap. 

The health advice for schools is that on-site temperature taking is not recommended because fever is not a consistent symptom of COVID-19 in children and would result in delayed school entry.

My Department has developed a suite of guidance for schools dealing with the matters raised by the Deputy and also includes the provision of templates. One of those templates involves Covid-19 Response Plans and all schools are required to have one in place. The Covid-19 Response Plan details the policies and practices necessary for a school to meet the Government’s ‘Return to Work Safely Protocol’, the Department of Education plan for school reopening and to prevent the introduction and spread of Covid-19 in the school environment. 

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