A positive case of Covid-19 has been confirmed at a second Dublin primary school.
One pupil has tested positive for the virus, leading to a number of additional students being sent home to isolate as a precautionary measure.
The Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education & Training Board (DDLETB) has confirmed the positive case associated with one of its schools in west Dublin.
In a statement, it said all relevant close contacts in the school have been identified, contacted and advised of next steps while all necessary hygiene, health and safety protocols are in place at the school for the prevention and containment of the virus.
"The school is continuing in full operation. In line with the Return to School protocols, close contacts have been requested to stay at home where remote lessons will continue to be provided using online systems," it said.
"DDLETB is working closely with the school principal and school management to provide every possible support and assistance... Our continuing priority is to support the wellbeing of the school community and to ensure the continuity of teaching and learning for the pupils and teachers of the school."
DDLETB said cases arising in its schools had been anticipated and there was "a high state of preparedness among our school communities where prescribed plans and protocols have been implemented and followed in full."
The case within the west Dublin school was confirmed on Tuesday and parents of pupils were informed. The mixed school has over 200 pupils. A number of pupils who have been identified as close contacts of the confirmed case will isolate pending two rounds of Covid-19 testing.
Following the confirmation of the case, the Minister for Education Norma Foley confirmed that priority testing will be made available to schools with a Covid-19 outbreak.
“Priority testing will be provided where there is an outbreak in a school and schools will be treated no differently to the priority testing that is being provided in other environments where a situation of that nature occurs,” she said.
Second school
Also on Tuesday, another Dublin school in the southwest of the county, confirmed that a pupil had tested positive for the virus resulting in 30 pupils being sent home.
The majority of primary schools reopened last week, having been closed since mid-March due to the outbreak of Covid-19.
Teacher unions have voiced their concern regarding the return of classes, with the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) claiming that some schools are failing to implement social distancing measures.
Speaking at the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response, TUI general secretary Michael Gillespie said that the union had received reports of some schools not satisfying public health requirements.
Mr Gillespie added and that its teachers “will not accept any departure from the public health guidance, including the absolute necessity to maintain a physical distance of no less than one metre, preferably two metres, in our schools."
