Labor asks that NPHET conduct a risk assessment on schools before they return

Updated 1 hour ago

THE LABOR PARTY has asked the National Public Health Emergency Team to conduct a public health risk assessment on the reopening of schools.

Labor education spokesman Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has said his preference is for schools to open whenever it can be done safely.

Ó Ríordáin welcomed the decision to delay the reopening of schools, but said that since the virus is widespread in the community, an assessment of the risks to the health of staff, students and the community in general is necessary. .

“I call on the government to ask NPHET to urgently conduct a public health risk assessment on whether schools can reopen for safety on January 11th.

“The government must also agree to abide by the public health advice that is provided. Depending on the level of illness in the community, many schools may also have a difficult time getting enough staff back to schools within a few weeks. “

Ó Ríordáin said the same risk assessment should be done within child care facilities, but care options for essential workers should remain open.

“I want to emphasize that schools that stay open is the preferred option once it can be done safely. It is students and disadvantaged children who suffer the most from closures. “

In his address to the nation on December 30, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that based on the public health information he had received, schools are still safe.

“All public health analyzes show that schools are safe and that schools will reopen, but with a slight delay until January 11.

By extending the recess for three days, the new restrictions that I am announcing tonight will be in effect for more than 10 days when schools open. Families will have had the opportunity to ensure that their contacts are kept to a minimum before the children return to school.

In his letter to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly on December 30, Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan said that NPHET specifically considered reopening the schools.

“NPHET was of the opinion that schools should reopen as planned,” Holohan said in the letter.

“However, the NPHET noted that the high and increasing levels of community transmission will become a risk to the continued provision of education at the primary and secondary levels, unless these levels of transmission can be addressed.”

People Before Profit has called for schools to remain closed this month due to the increase in positive Covid cases, hospitalizations and ICU admissions.

“Micheál Martin and his partners in the Government chose to prioritize the opening of pubs, restaurants, shops and hotels over our public health. It is a great tragedy and a political betrayal of the Irish people, but it is not surprising that we have seen an increase in the numbers in the last week, “said Bríd Smith.

“Increasingly, the voices of the medical and scientific communities are calling for a Zero Covid strategy and more and more teachers, their unions and parents are calling for schools to remain closed. Schools are not safe in this current crisis. “