A top hotelier has warned the Government's stimulus package has not gone far enough, and failed to fully tackle the revenue loss and debt issues facing key elements of Ireland's €9bn tourism sector. The department has created a range of training and resource materials for … Photo: Jacob King/PA Wire, Philip Ryan Twitter The Government will provide funding to Bus Éireann and other school bus providers to allow them to make changes to their vehicles which will lessen the spread of the virus. Schools are due to reopen as normal in the first week of January for pupils in Northern Ireland. Education Secretary Peter Wire said the main priority was to protect children’s education. Schools reopening Q&A: What will classrooms look like? However, central to the plan will be new social-distancing rules for pupils when they are in class, on the way to school, and in the yard during their breaks. Leo Varadkar officially told Fine Gael TDs and Senators last night that schools might not reopen until May. People like Dr. Ciara Kelly who appeared on the Tonight Show last week with well known former right wing Fine Gael politician […] Ireland's premier Leo Varadkar has announced an extension of the majority of the country's coronavirus restrictions to May 18. The first doses are due to be given on Monday, amid concern over rising coronavirus cases. One metre distancing will be required for pupils from third class up when schools reopen in Ireland later this year. Health chiefs have admitted that as many as one in five deep throat swab tests for the Covid-19 virus may deliver false negatives. The money will also fund the building of new school premises to allow for social distancing and 120 extra counselling posts to help students adjust to a different educational environment. However, students will be encouraged to cycle and walk to school where possible. Robin Swann, the Minister for Health in Northern Ireland, has said that schools reopening in January is not a ‘sustainable position’. It comes following an increase in the number of cases of Covid-19, the highest number of hospitalisations since May, and a massive rise in referrals of suspected cases in the past week. Northern Ireland’s schools will reopen as planned in January, the Education Minister has said. Minister for Education Norma Foley said children in the first four years of primary school would not need to social distance, but beyond that age there would be a one-metre distance between pupils. P eter Weir said “in the best interests of all pupils” he had decided all schools … Coalition under fire for stopping Covid welfare to people going abroad, Up to one in five Covid-19 swab tests gives false negative result, admits HSE, Stimulus package doesn't go far enough to save tourism sector, warns hotels expert, Covid restrictions Ireland: Micheál Martin confirms ‘full-scale’ Level 5 lockdown. Meanwhile, secondary school students will be asked to wear masks on school buses, but wearing them in classes will be optional. Wednesday, 30 December 2020 | -1.5°C Dublin, Menu Read about our approach to external linking. Updates on schools … Primary and secondary schools will reopen at the beginning of the academic year at the end of August, the Taoiseach has confirmed. Roadmap for reopening our schools. "A lot of work has gone into it, there has been a lot of consultation with the unions and I think it's a good plan," he said. NI Education Minister Peter Weir has said all schools and other education settings will reopen in the first week of January. Will schools reopen in Wales and Northern Ireland? .css-1xgx53b-Link{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:700;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:#FFFFFF;}.css-1xgx53b-Link:hover,.css-1xgx53b-Link:focus{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Read about our approach to external linking. In line with public health advice, students aged over 13 will be asked to wear masks on buses. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't question that most laggardly of ministerial departments - the Department of Education and Skills (DES) - about why this plan is being put into the public domain less than a month away from the normal school reopening date. The Irish government confirmed the plan following a cabinet meeting at Dublin Castle. ... teachers and parents for the reopening of schools … Labour Education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said more clarity was needed on how the Government intended on spending the €300m earmarked for reopening the country's schools. As of yet an official decision on when schools will reopen in Ireland has yet to be made. There will be separate funding for special education schools, with €3.8m being set aside for extra special needs assistants (SNAs) and substitute teachers. Schools in Ireland remain closed until May 5th due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Irish government confirmed the plan following a cabinet meeting at Dublin Castle. Share this article. The department has created a range of training and resource materials for … And despite the announcement of a six-week lockdown in Northern Ireland, which began on Boxing Day, schools are expected to reopen in the first week of January. However, strict cleaning regimes will have to be implemented by schools if they intend to hold classes that involve pupils interacting with each other and using equipment. … "I'm confident that it will go through Cabinet and will allow us to open schools for all one million students.". The INTO has called for the reopening of primary schools to be delayed. S peaking at a … Training and resources. She said there would also be "enhanced cleaning and hand hygiene" support for schools and opportunities for them to receive Personal Protective Equipment. Almost 4,000 students have not yet applied to an online government system to have their Leaving Cert results calculated ahead of the deadline today. © 2020 BBC. Photo: Gerry Mooney. In instances where students and staff are asked to move between classes they will all be asked to wash their hands. ‘A good plan’: Tánaiste Leo Varadkar backed €300m programme. 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