Cases:7,672,477 Deaths:
We have to ensure it is safe for staff and pupils to return
in September. Mr Mchugh said: “Young people have bought into the process of why they have to practise good hand hygiene and social distancing.”
He added more funding will be provided to schools to help them pay for additional cleaning equipment and changes to classrooms. Mr Mchugh
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introduced at the end of March. Mr Concannon was front and centre in sending out the message that no one was to travel.
The official was on Government business but other senior political figures have either worked remotely or stayed in Dublin.
Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has remained in the capital since the lockdown and has not been able to visit his family in Cork in more than 12 weeks. In a statement also told how post-primary students would attend school on a certain number of days per week depending on what year they are in.
He said: “The one metre would mean 50% of pupils return to school and that means some students would come in two days a week and others
(up (up
would come in three days a week.
“I don’t want to envisage a situation where we have a process where we leave children behind – by the end of August, children will have been out of school for a six-month period.
“I have to weigh up the risks with the gaps in education, the risk of regression and the failure to provide an education – but we have to ensure it is safe for pupils, teachers and staff to return.”
Mr Mchugh was speaking at the announcement of the Summer Provision programme for children with special
about Mr Concannon, a spokesman for the Government Information Service said: “As part of the response to the Covid-19 crisis, a Government crisis communications group was convened.
“This group, which now meets daily by video conference, comprises members from all Government departments and a number of relevant agencies.
“John Concannon is a member of this educational needs for this year. The scheme has been expanded to include children with Down syndrome and those at risk of regression.
He added 890 disadvantaged schools will provide summer camps, including a numeracy and literacy programme for primary pupils and a programme of re-engagement for post-primary students.
Meanwhile, three more people have died from Covid-19 in Ireland, bringing the toll to 1,705.
Officials added a further 13 cases have also been diagnosed, taking the total to 25,250.
JOE MCHUGH YESTERDAY
team and is helping to co-ordinate public information communications across Government and its agencies.
“While his attendance at Government Buildings was essential in the early stages of the pandemic, he has worked remotely since early April.
“He has attended Government Buildings twice for essential meetings in the period since early April.”
John Concannon