Foley confirms plans for ‘full return’ of schools

The Education Ministry is preparing for a full return to schools this fall, Minister Norma Foley confirmed.

“We are in constant communication with public health specialists ahead of the new school year and we can confirm that we are preparing for a full return to schools in late August and early September,” she said in a statement.

“Public health has said that the new variants of the disease do not change the infection prevention and control measures required in schools.

“The available evidence of schools functioning during Covid-19 to date shows that schools are low-risk environments due to the infection prevention and control measures in place,” the Minister of Education said.

Ms Foley today brought a note to Cabinet confirming plans are in place to support the full reopening of schools in time for the start of the new school year.

Schools have been told that when they reopen in the new term, they “will continue to be supported in terms of additional resources needed to provide these measures.”

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Minister Foley said: “The provision of CO2 monitors for each school will be an important tool in ensuring the safety of our schools and, in addition to the mitigation measures already in place, our staff and students can be assured. to return to safe environments in our schools. “

The department has purchased a number of portable monitors that will be distributed to schools in August and September – between two and 20 at the primary level and between 20 and 35 at the post-primary level depending on the size of the school.

Schools are advised to open windows as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use, such as during breaks and at the end of each school day, and partially open when classrooms are in use.

Ireland’s teachers’ union said it would welcome Minister Foley’s announcement to provide CO2 monitors for schools, which he said he had requested “as early as last November”.

In a statement, TUI General Secretary Michael Gillespie said that “in engagements with the department over the next few weeks, we will continue to raise concerns from our members, particularly with regard to pregnant women or women. likely to have underlying health problems.

“All protections must be strictly observed, and the health and safety of everyone in school communities must remain paramount,” added Gillespie.