TUI statement following meeting with Department of Education – further meeting required on key issues

By piofficer, Tuesday, 4th January 2022 | 0 comments

At a meeting with the Minister for Education, Department of Education representatives and public health representatives today, the TUI and other stakeholders were informed that, in public health terms, there was no rationale to delay the re-opening of schools. 

Because the meeting did not engage on the operational details that may need to be applied from Thursday, the TUI insisted on the need for a further meeting, which will take place tomorrow. In this regard, the union had earlier insisted that schools must have flexibility on how they re-open based on their particular circumstances. The TUI also made clear that given the significant concern around the Omicron variant, the operation of schools must be kept under constant review. 

The union was informed that a detailed document will issue providing clarity on isolation periods and the use of antigen tests along with the familiar PCR testing system. 

It was also confirmed at the meeting that teachers will continue to follow the standard testing, tracing and isolating regime that applies to society generally. 

A review of the standard of masks to be utilised in education settings will also be undertaken given the transmissibility of the Omicron variant. 

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