Written Answers Nos. 1-30
6. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the additional resources that will be provided to schools such as a school (details supplied) which will lose one teacher as a result of a slight reduction in pupil numbers in September 2019 which now face arranging a return to school with at least two 35 pupil classes each from a variety of years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19298/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was pleased to publish the report to Government “Reopening Our Schools, The Roadmap for the Full Return to School” and announce a funding package of more than €370 million for primary and post primary schools to supports its implementation.
As part of the package of supports, additional teachers are being provided to support the reopening of primary schools in order to provide enhanced substitution and eliminate the need to mix classes when a teacher is absent. Supply panels are being established nationwide.
Primary schools are currently provided with class teachers on the basis of one teacher for every 26 pupils which is at its historically lowest level. The allocation of teaching posts to schools are determined by the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
The staffing schedule includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. The school referred to by the Deputy has not submitted a staffing appeal to the Independent Appeals Board in order to facilitate a review of its staffing position.
My Department will be working with all schools on the options available to implement the public health advice in respect of physical distancing in schools. In terms of operating in this school year, schools will be required to look at maximising all available physical space particularly to accommodate larger classes. Examples of class layouts have been developed to support schools. The minor works grant has been provided to assist schools if they need to reconfigure classrooms or undertake other work. Schools will also be required to look at how classes are organised in terms of size and this may require some reorganisation of class groupings. Where a school is still experiencing difficulties with social distancing , other measures including staffing will be examined by the Department.
11. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the new building for a school (details supplied); the way in which special needs schools will operate when they reopen in view of to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18473/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project at Holy Family Special School is for the construction of a new 26 classroom special needs school, with a floor area of 5310sqm. The project commenced on site in June 2018 with a contract duration of approximately 27 months.
The contractor appointed on the building project has recommenced construction activity on site and is operating in compliance with the ‘Return to Work Safely Protocol’. The anticipated substantial completion date is December 2020.
The Government published the Roadmap for the full Return to School on Monday which sets out
how schools will reopen for all students from the end of August, and what the operation of our schools will look like in a COVID-19 context. The roadmap outlines a comprehensive range of measures being provided to support the full reopening of schools in time for the start of the new school year in late
August.
My Department has engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the requirements to provide funding to schools for measures such as enhanced cleaning regimes and PPE. My Department has also arranged for 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 re-opening 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.
16. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made in securing a site for a school (details supplied); when the school will progress to a permanent home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16495/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe building project for Gaelscoil an Chaisleain is included in my Department's capital programme. Officials in my Department continue to liaise with officials in Cork City Council in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable site for the school.
A number of site options have been proposed and assessed. A potential site option has been identified. Negotiations with the landowner in respect of the preferred site option to accommodate the school are under way. The Deputy will appreciate that negotiations in respect of site acquisitions are, by their nature, sensitive and for that reason I am not in a position to provide further information at this time. However, I assure him that all parties are working to bring matters to a conclusion at the earliest possible date and Department officials will continue to keep the relevant school authorities appraised of progress.
17. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to significantly reduce class sizes in primary schools in view of the fact that Ireland has the highest-class sizes in Europe and the need for social distancing due to Covid-19. [19307/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was pleased to publish the report to Government “Reopening Our Schools, The Roadmap for the Full Return to School” and announce a funding package of more than €370 million for primary and post primary schools to supports its implementation.
As part of the package of supports, additional teachers are being provided to support the reopening of primary schools in order to provide enhanced substitution and eliminate the need to mix classes when a teacher is absent. Supply panels are being established nationwide. These will be monitored in terms of the number of teachers and the location of each panel.
Primary schools are currently provided with class teachers on the basis of one teacher for every 26 pupils which is at its historically lowest level. Budget 2020 also improved the staffing levels for schools with four teachers or less and ensure one less pupil is required to retain/recruit a teacher. I am acutely aware of the issues faced by many schools in respect of teacher allocations and class sizes. Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to seek to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools and it is my intention to make progress on this in future budgets.
My Department will also be working with schools on the options available to implement the public health advice in respect of physical distancing. In terms of operating in this school year, schools will be required to look at maximising all available physical space particularly to accommodate larger classes. Examples of class layouts have been provided to support schools. The minor works grant has been provided to assist schools if they need to reconfigure classroom or undertake other work. Schools will also be required to look at how classes are organised in terms of size and this may require some reorganisation of class groupings.
My Department will work with any school who needs extra support when other options are not feasible and this may involve additional teachers in some cases.
18. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education and Skills if detailed plans will be provided of the implementation of the commitment in the Programme for Government to develop inclusive and age-appropriate RSE and SPHE curricula across primary and post-primary levels, including an inclusive programme on LGBTI+ relationships and making appropriate legislative changes, if necessary. [18119/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government states that this Government will develop inclusive and age appropriate curricula for Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) across primary and post-primary schools, including an inclusive programme on LGBTI+ relationships. This is a vital and sensitive area of education, and I am very aware that issues have been identified with the current curriculum. This work will be progressed as a matter of prority.
This work will be progressed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). It will draw on the council's report on RSE in primary and post-primary schools which was published in December 2019. The review was commissioned by my predecessor Richard Bruton TD who requested the NCCA to specifically consider LGBTQ+ matters among the areas to be covered by its review.
The NCCA report is based on commissioned research and extensive public consultation. It made a number of recommendations, including the development of a single integrated curriculum for RSE and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) in schools. Work on redeveloping the specifications for SPHE and RSE will commence next year and will include engagement with all the key education stakeholders, as well as a further process of public consultation before the new curriculum is finalised.
The Council is currently developing interim guidance material for SPHE and RSE across primary and post-primary. These support materials will be made available in the form of an online toolkit. It is expected that these will be ready towards the end of this year. They will provide guidance on how the current curriculum can be approached in a more holistic way.
19. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider allowing student teachers some days in August and September 2020 to assist teachers and schools in preparing for reopening in view of the fact they missed out on subbing days in May and June in 2020 in addition to valuable teaching experience in the classroom as school placements were cancelled in further view of the fact this would also benefit the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19331/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI accept that it is vitally important that our student teachers can access and undertake student placements. It is important that student teachers complete placements and the experience and learnings from these placements ensure that our graduating student teachers are fully qualified and competent professionals. It is intended that school placements for student teachers will take place in the coming year.
As I announced earlier in the week, the Government is providing a range of supports to schools to allow them to reopen fully. These include an enhanced Minor Works Grant, increased management supports, additional capitation for cleaning, hand hygiene and PPE and additional supply panel posts at primary and additional teaching posts at post-primary.
Funding will also be provided to each school to employ an aide to assist with the physical and logistical arrangements necessary in advance of school re-opening including movement of furniture, setting up hand sanitising stations, signage, training, and engaging with parents. Schools are free to make arrangments to employ a suitable person as an aide at a local level.
Also, I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department, in collaboration with the Teaching Council and Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), have been examining the potential for student teachers to provide greater support to schools during schools placements, particularly in post-primary schools in the coming school year. It is planned that the HEIs will adopt flexible arrangements for post primary student teacher programmes. This will facilitate greater availability of student teachers in the post primary sector for paid work outside of their school placement. I am confident that this measure will be of significant benefit to both the school and student teacher involved. Further guidance on this proposal will be finalised shortly.
20. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details on her moves to regularise the employment rights of school secretaries in line with the demands of a union (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19320/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have seen at first hand the very important work done by school secretaries, and indeed by the other support staff in the running of our schools.
In recognition of this, I have put special arrangements in place for the coming school year whereby schools will be funded to employ a replacement secretary or caretaker in the event that staff who are at very high risk of contracting serious illness from COVID-19 cannot work from the school premises. I have met with Forsa, who represent many of the secretaries working in schools.
The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under the capitation grant schemes. It is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs. Where a school uses the grant funding for caretaking or secretarial purposes, any staff taken on to support those functions are employees of individual schools. Specific responsibility for terms of employment rests with the school.
On foot of a Chairman’s Note to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, my Department engaged with the Unions representing school secretaries and caretakers in an independent arbitration process in 2015. The Arbitrator recommended a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 for staff and a minimum hourly pay rate of €13.
In May last year FÓRSA trade union tabled a follow-on claim from the 2015 pay agreement. Officials from my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and School Management Bodies are in discussions with FÓRSA under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission.
21. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cathain atá sé i gceist aici beartas a fhoilsiú maidir le hoideachas trí Ghaeilge taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [18540/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagra:
Go raibh maith agat don cheist, a Theachta.
Tá tiomantas i gClár an Rialtais 2020 – 2025 Ár dTodhchaí Le Chéile polasaí cuimsitheach a sholáthar don Ghaeilge ó oideachas réamhscoile go hoideachas múinteoirí do gach scoil.
Tá an gealltanas seo i gcomhthéacs na hoibre ar chur i bhfeidhm Straitéis 20-Bliain an Rialtais don Ghaeilge.
Tá mo Roinn-se ag cur i bhfeidhm an straitéis don oideachas Gaeltachta cheana féin agus tá tús curtha le hobair phleanála do pholasaí don oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht.
Is iad mo thosaíochtaí reatha ná athoscailt na scoileanna go sábháilte agus an próiseas do na gráid ríofa don Ardteistiméireacht 2020 agus táim féin agus m’oifigigh ag obair go leanúnach leis na páirtithe go léir chun an dá ghné den obair seo a chur chun cinn.
Cuirfear na gníomhartha tosaíochta ó Chlár an Rialtais, an polasaí do theanga na Gaeilge san áireamh, i mo straitéis trí bliana agus sa phlean feidhmithe bhliantúil. Tá sé i gceist agam an straitéis trí bliana sin a fhoilsiú níos déanaí sa bhliain.
Tá cur chun cinn na Gaeilge fíor-thábhachtach inár scoileanna.
Question: To ask the Minister for Education (and Skills) when it is intended to publish a policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Answer:
Thank you for the question Deputy.
The Programme for Government 2020-2025 Our Shared Future contains a commitment to provide a comprehensive policy for the Irish language from pre-primary education to teacher education for all schools.
This commitment is in the context of the work on the implementation of the Government’s 20 year strategy for the Irish language.
My Department is already implementing the Gaeltacht education strategy and has commenced planning work for a policy on Irish medium education outside of the Gaeltacht.
My immediate priorities are the safe reopening of schools and the calculated grades process for Leaving Certificate 2020 and myself and my officials continue to work with all the partners to progress these two bodies of work.
My three year strategy and annual implementation plan will incorporate priority actions from the Programme for Government including the Irish language policy. I aim to publish this three year strategy later this year.
The promotion of Irish is hugely important in our schools.
22. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures being taken to ensure the operation of the school transport service from 31 August 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19035/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
Earlier this week I announced a comprehensive plan detailing a package of measures and resources to be provided to facilitate schools in re-opening. I also published a detailed roadmap for the full return to school. This roadmap set outs how schools will reopen for all students from the end of August. 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 all relevant stakeholders including Bus Éireann, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the National Transport Authority on the logistical considerations that arise in planning for the operation of school transport services for the reopening of our schools.
School Transport Scheme services operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department will fully operate as normal, in line with public health advice, when schools re-open for the 2020/2021 school year with the appropriate hygiene and other measures in place.
Observing hygiene requirements will be a key priority and we will issue clear communications to all parents and students using school transport services to set out the requirements for those travelling on services.
In addition, Bus Éireann, in consultation with my Department, will provide information and guidance for their own employees and to contractors contracted to operate on the School Transport Scheme on the operation of services within the parameters of the public health advice and the return to work safely protocols
23. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the proposed amalgamation of schools in Kanturk, County Cork. [19327/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a project to provide for the construction of a new primary school in Kanturk has been devolved to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for delivery.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a preferred contractor for the project has been identified. The OPW has informed my Department that the Letter of Acceptance will issue shortly with a view to ensuring that work commences on site in early September 2020.
My Department understands that it is the Patron’s intention to amalgamate the schools when the building project is completed.
24. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which school transport will operate as schools reopen; if transport operators will be provided additional funding accordingly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19406/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
Earlier this week I announced a comprehensive plan detailing a package of measures and resources to be provided to facilitate schools in re-opening. I also published a detailed roadmap for the full return to school. This roadmap set outs how schools will reopen for all students from the end of August. 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 all relevant stakeholders including Bus Éireann, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the National Transport Authority on the logistical considerations that arise in planning for the operation of school transport services for the reopening of our schools.
School Transport Scheme services operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department will fully operate as normal, in line with public health advice, when schools re-open for the 2020/2021 school year with the appropriate hygiene and other measures in place.
Observing hygiene requirements will be a key priority and we will issue clear communications to all parents and students using school transport services to set out the requirements for those travelling on services.
In addition, Bus Éireann, in consultation with my Department, will provide information and guidance for their own employees and to contractors contracted to operate on the School Transport Scheme on the operation of services within the parameters of the public health advice and the return to work safely protocols. My Department will provide the appropriate level of funding for PPE, sanitization materials and the additional cleaning regime required for school transport vehicles.
25. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions in place for immunocompromised students, parents, teachers, teachers that may have immunocompromised children and those that may live with immunocompromised persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19403/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra58. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provision being made for students, teachers or school staff that are immunocompromised and will be concerned regarding the return to schools and that it may not be in accordance with health advice to attend. [19303/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Monday, 27 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.
I am conscious that there may be some pupils for whom return to school at the end of August may not be appropriate because the relevant public health guidelines indicate they are at “very high risk”.
Responsibility to ensure that these pupils receive appropriate support to engage adequately with learning remains with each school. Good communication is key to supporting these pupils and to ensure their ongoing connection with their classmates and school community.
Additional supports will be provided for these pupils/students through designated teachers from within the staffing resources of the school. Schools will have discretion to manage and redistribute their teaching support resources in order to best meet the learning needs of their pupils/students, including pupils/students at ‘very high risk’ to COVID-19.
I am conscious that some high risk staff will be assessed as unable to return to the workplace due to Covid-19. Schools will be provided with resources to replace these staff members.
Details of the arrangements that will apply for these staff, which will be in accordance with those applying for the public service generally, will be updated by the Department of Education following consultation with Management Bodies and Unions and a circular will be issued to all schools. This may include supporting high risk students who cannot attend school.
26. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide additional funding to upgrade school buildings in preparation for the reopening of schools. [19329/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, last Moinday I announced The Roadmap for The Full Return to School, along with funding of over €370 million to support primary and post primary schools as they prepare for reopening.
It is recognised that a school in preparing for full reopening, may require some reconfiguration works to ensure that all available space in the school is availed of, including class space, to safely maximising physical distancing.
The type of adaption works may include, but are not limited to, reconfiguration of classroom space, re-purposing rooms to provide additional space, adapting storage facilities, purchasing furniture, altering desk layouts, adapting toilet areas. As each school setting is different, a ‘one size fits all approach’ is not appropriate, individual schools are best placed to decide on the appropriate re-configuration works for their school.
By providing funding to schools through a Minor Works Grant, schools will have necessary flexibility to implement these kind of reconfiguration measures in their school quickly.
27. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [17959/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recently received a request from the school authority to retain a suite of rented, temporary accommodation at the school to which the Deputy refers. An official from my Schools’ Capital Appraisals Section will contact the school authority shortly to discuss the matter further.
28. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education and Skills the plans in place to expand the choice in exams in the leaving certificate 2021 in view of the loss in teaching time due to Covid-19; if the alternations will be carried out across subjects in a similar manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19333/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Monday of this week, 27 July, I announced a roadmap for reopening our schools fully at the start of the upcoming school year. This roadmap includes a wide range of information and guidance for schools including public health advice, COVID-19 response plans for schools as well as curriculum and assessment changes.
Notwithstanding the best efforts of teachers and schools to engage students during the period of school closure, my Department recognises that curriculum considerations for 2020/21 school year at both primary/special school and post-primary level need to take account of the variable learning experiences of pupils/students during the period of school closure, the likely gaps in learning, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or with special educational needs, and the practical context in which teaching and learning will be taking place in the new school year.
The publication of the roadmap earlier this week was accompanied by a series of guidance documents for schools, including guidance on learning and school programmes for post-primary school leaders and teachers.
This guidance outlines adjustments to assessment arrangements to take account of the general loss of learning opportunity for those students who are due to sit the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate examinations in 2021. The changes will be broadly proportionate and may vary, taking into account specific context, across modules, subjects and programmes. They will involve some combination of:
- Greater choice for students in written examinations;
- Bringing forward the dates for the issue of coursework briefs;
- Adjustments to the requirements for practical examinations in some subjects.
Further details on changes being made to examinations at subject-level will be published shortly.
My Department is acutely aware of the challenges faced by students at this difficult time, and how the current circumstances will continue to present challenges into the future. The welfare of students is, and will continue to be, front and centre in all decision making.
29. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to expand second-level school places in Gorey, County Wexford. [19284/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date data on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes as there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
Since April 2018 the Government has announced plans for the establishment of 45 new schools over the four years 2019 to 2022. These announcements followed nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country.
In addition to the new schools announced, there will be a need for further school accommodation in other areas through either planned capacity increases in existing schools or additional accommodation or extensions to existing schools.
While this did not include a new post primary school for the Gorey school planning area, the requirement for new schools or school places is under on-going review and in particular will have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands.
My Department will also continue to monitor areas where the accommodation of existing schools may need to be expanded in order to meet the needs of the local population.
The second level School Planning Area for Gorey, Co. Wexford is catered for by two schools, Gorey Community School and Creagh College.
My Department approved capital funding for Gorey Community School to provide additional classroom and specialist accommodation last April. This accommodation, when constructed will cater for approximately 1,550 pupils. The project has been devolved to the school authorities for delivery. A new school building catering for 1,000 pupils was constructed for Creagh College in 2014.
30. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the educational provisions being made for Oberstown Youth Detention Centre in the context of a second wave of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19401/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) is responsible for delivery of education in the Oberstown Children Detention Campus School. My Department approves an annual allocation of staff hours to DDLETB to facilitate this provision.
The management of the school is led by the in-school senior management team of principal and two deputy principals, overseen by the school’s board of management.
Officials in my Department have been in correspondence with their colleagues in DDLETB during the Covid-19 pandemic and have met with them to discuss the ongoing education provision in Oberstown. In line with the guidance provided to all schools by my Department, DDLETB put arrangements in place to ensure continuity of learning during the Covid-19 school closure period.
The advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will be considered in the event of a second wave of Covid19.
