Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
497. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the basis on which a company (details supplied) is reclassifying teachers previously deemed to be very-high-risk to high-risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41564/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February this year, my Department requested that medical specialists thoroughly assess and recommend guidelines for ‘Very High Risk’ and also pregnant employees working in the education sector. The most recent guidance for the education sector was published by the HSE in July 2021 and authored by the Civil Service Chief Medical Officer, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Public Health Medicine in HSE and Medmark Occupational Healthcare.
As with all other guidelines around public health measures, my Department has been led by expert medical advice provided by the Government through the HSE and other relevant public bodies. The HSE Guidance for the education sector published in July 2021 represents the latest available advice.
On 30th June, 2021, where the Occupational Health Service (OHS) i.e. Medmark categorised a teacher or SNA as ‘Very High Risk’ at any time before or during the 2020/21 school year, their ‘COVID-19 Health Risk Categorisation Report’ expired on that date. For the 2021/22 school year, having considered the HSE advice, the HSE Guidance for the education sector and information available on the OHS website, a teacher or SNA who believes they are at very high risk of serious illness from contracting COVID-19, must complete the online OHS COVID-19 Risk Assessment Questionnaire and submit it to the OHS.
The COVID-19 health risk categorisation assessments are performed by a team of qualified and experienced specialists in occupational medicine. Available medical evidence, including reports from treating consultants as well as vaccination status of employees, are considered during the OHS COVID-19 health risk categorisation assessment process.
A teacher or SNA who has been categorised by the OHS and considers that the OHS ‘COVID-19 Health Risk Categorisation Report’ places them in an incorrect risk category, may request a review. The OHS will re-evaluate the medical evidence provided. The teacher or SNA may provide additional medical evidence as part of the review process. In a situation where the review outcome is that the COVID-19 health risk categorisation remains the same, a further review will only be undertaken, where additional medical evidence indicates there has been a change in the teacher or SNA’s medical status or where there is a change in the HSE guidelines for the ‘high risk’ group.
As knowledge of COVID-19 has increased, some medical conditions that previously placed a teacher or SNA in the ‘High Risk’ group now places them in the ‘Normal Risk’ group. A teacher or SNA in the ‘High Risk’ or Normal Risk’ group can attend the workplace where the school is implementing the COVID-19 Response Plan and the public health advice for schools. Where a teacher or SNA has been categorised as ‘Very High Risk’ by the OHS, they will be facilitated to work from home.
The COVID-19 Response Plan is designed to support employers and employees in putting measures in place that aim to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the school environment. It details the policies and practices necessary for a school to implement the Government’s ‘Work Safely Protocol’, so as to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in the school environment. All employers are required to have an up to date COVID-19 Response Plan in place. The plan outlines the arrangements in place to ensure a safe workplace for all employees. There is an obligation on the employer to discuss the school’s COVID-19 Response Plan with employees and ensure that all appropriate risk mitigation measures are clearly in place for their protection.
My Department’s Circular Letter 0042/2021 details the current working arrangements and leave arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic for teachers and SNAs employed in recognised primary and post primary schools.
