Niall Collins
Ceist:139. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education her views on a matter in relation to a teacher (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31161/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 15 June 2022
Ceisteanna (139)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department’s Information Note TC 0006/2022 titled ‘COVID-19: Working Arrangements for Higher Risk Teachers and Special Needs Assistants (employees) for the 2022/23 school year’ published on 26th May 2022 provided the policy on updated working arrangements from 1st July 2022 for the ‘Very High Risk’ group, in line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) direction for public sector employees.
Based on the details supplied, the employee referred to by the Deputy is currently categorised as ‘Very High Risk’ by the Occupational Health Service (Medmark) and is facilitated by their employer to work from home for the 2021/22 school year. Medmark’s COVID-19 Health Risk Categorisation Reports for all ‘Very High Risk’ employees will expire at the latest on 30th June 2022. The Department of Public Expenditure and reform has advised that an employee in the very high risk group as defined by the HSE, must attend the workplace, if they are medically fit for work. An employer therefore can no longer facilitate remote working for an employee in the very high risk group beyond 30th June 2022.
If the employee in question considers they are medically unfit for work, they must notify their employer immediately. In accordance with the Sick Leave Scheme, the employer must refer them to Medmark in advance of the 2022/23 school year. Where the employee is deemed medically unfit for work by Medmark, the terms and conditions of the Sick Leave Scheme will apply for the period until they are medically fit to return to the workplace.
My Department’s Circular Letter 0038/2022 titled ‘COVID-19: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Updated Working Arrangements for Teachers and Special Needs Assistants employed in recognised Primary and Post Primary schools’ published on 8th June 2022 incorporates the contents of Information Note TC 0006/2022.
Question No. 140 answered with Question No. 135.
Question No. 141 answered with Question No. 135.