Reports on extending school mid-term dismissed as speculation

A senior Fianna Fáil politician has dismissed reports today that schools may close for an additional week at Halloween mid-term as mere speculation.

Deputy Brendan Smith (FF) told The Anglo-Celt in the past few minutes that the Government priority remains to keep schools open.

“In the National Framework for Living with COVID-19, the Government clearly states that we must keep our schools, early learning and childcare services open, while protecting our health, wellbeing and our economy," said Deputy Smith.

Cutting straight to the issue, he said: "I am not aware of the Department of Education preparing for a longer than usual October mid-term break. Hopefully this will not be necessary and that the incidence of the Covid virus in our communities will not increase. Of course the National Public Health Emergency Team (NEPHT) make recommendations in relation to the opening or closure of services based on the evidence at any given time."

The TD and former Minister for Children himself added: "It took a lot of hard work and commitment on the part of principals, their teaching and other support staff and the wider school community to achieve a successful re-opening of our schools.

"This has been warmly welcomed by the general public in view of the importance of education from pre-school to third level."

Reports today were circulating that schools, due to close from October 26 for a week for the Halloween break, would remain closed for a further week until November 6 in a bid to further suppress the spread of COVID-19.

Senior Coalition are reported as saying such a proposal has been discussed briefly but no firm decision has been made by the Minister for Education, Norma Foley, or the Government.

The head of the Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB), which has 11 post primary schools under its remit and representing an enrolment of over 5,000 pupils, has also dismissed the reports.

John Kearney said the board has had no communication from the Department of Education on the prospect of extending the mid-term break.

The current national 'Level Three' restrictions, in place since midnight on Tuesday, are due to expire from midnight on October 27 - just days ahead of Halloween.