AQW 22784/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 20/09/2021
Answered On Date: 27/09/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 22191/17-22, what advice she is giving to parents of pupils who are clinically extremely vulnerable, or have relatives who are clinically extremely vulnerable, regarding attendance at schools where COVID-19 cases have been identified.

Answer:

In keeping with the current Government advice available on the NIDirect website pupils previously shielding or with a family member who was previously shielding due to being identified as ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ can continue to go to school.

Relevant attendance codes may also be used in exceptional circumstances where medical evidence is provided to support a child abstaining from school.

Guidance on which absence codes to apply along with a series of “Frequently Asked Questions” was issued to schools on 23 August 2021 via DE Circular 2021/16