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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 July 2021

Tuesday, 13 July 2021

Ceisteanna (399)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

399. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the Covid-19 guidelines in place for pregnant school staff; if she plans to amend these guidelines prior to the autumn school reopening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37210/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The current COVID-19 arrangements in place for teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are outlined in my Department’s Circular Letter 0021/2021. The Circular caters for special leave with pay arrangements where a teacher/SNA has been advised to self-isolate and cannot attend the workplace. It also caters for the working arrangements where a teacher/SNA has been advised by the HSE to restrict their movements or where the teacher/SNA has been categorised by the Occupational Health Service (OHS) as at a very high risk of serious illness from contracting COVID-19. In both these cases, the teacher/SNA remains available for work and must be facilitated by the employer to work remotely i.e. work from home.

Upon the reopening of schools in March 2021, a pregnant teacher/SNA was advised by my Department to work remotely, pending further clarification from the HSE on their published guidance for pregnant employees in the education sector. Further details on the alternative working arrangements for a teacher/SNA working from home, is available at paragraph 4.1 of Circular 0021/2021.

My Department’s Information Note TC 0013/2021 published on 5th May outlined the working arrangements for the ‘Very High Risk’ and also the pregnant teachers/SNAs for the remainder of the 202/21 school year. In relation to working arrangements for the 2021/22 school year, it is expected that updated Education Sector guidelines from the HSE will be made available shortly. Following this, my Department will publish updated guidance for the ‘Very High Risk’ and for pregnant teachers/SNAs.

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