17^th January 2022

Call for a minute's silence in memory of Ashling Murphy

Fórsa has joined with our teacher colleague unions in the INTO, ASTI and TUI asking schools across the country to observe a minute's silence tomorrow (Tuesday) at 11am, in memory of Ashling Murphy. We are encouraging schools to fall silent to remember a beloved primary school teacher, taken far too soon, and show our solidarity with her friends, family, colleagues and pupils as Ashling is laid to rest.

Schools and Covid-19 safety measures: Update for Special Needs Assistants

Fórsa has today (Monday) directed its special needs assistant (SNA) members not to carry out work associated with the ‘72-hour obligation’ on school premises. The union says SNAs should remain available to carry out such work on a remote basis if the need arises.

The union directive was issued by the union’s elected Education Division executive committee. It will remain in place for as long as official public health guidance says that staff should work at home if at all possible. When the public health advice allows for a general return to the workplace, SNAs should work normally.

Ventilation and air quality

Fórsa has today written to all school principals and boards of management to outline the difficulties that SNAs, students and other school staff are experiencing because of inadequate ventilation and low temperatures in schools. The union has also raised these issues with the Department of Education, and says it has not taken sufficient measures to support schools during this phase of the pandemic.

In the absence of adequate guidance from education department, Fórsa has reminded principals and management boards of their obligation to liaise with their lead worker safety representatives in each school. The union has insisted that steps be taken in every school to:

• Provide adequate ventilation and ensure acceptable air quality in accordance with published guidance, and
• Update Covid-19 response plans with fresh assessments of risk regarding air quality, ventilation measures and compliance with minimum workplace temperatures.

School temperatures

The union pointed out that health and safety laws require schools to carry out professional risk assessments, including in respect of school temperatures. The law says that the minimum temperature in a workplace should be 16 degrees Celsius, within one hour of the commencement of work, in so far as this is “practicable.”

While Fórsa accepts the reality that windows may have to be left open to achieve compliance with air quality and ventilation requirements, it has told principals and management boards that they have a responsibility to take all possible measures to maintain an acceptable temperature of at least 16 Degree Celsius, including the provision of portable heaters where necessary.

PPE provision

The union has also asked principals and management boards to ensure that SNAs are supplied with FFP2 masks to ensure the highest level of protection possible while carrying out their duties. This is particularly important as SNAs work with students in circumstances where social distancing is not possible.

Earlier union interventions have led the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), which issues information and guidance on workplace Covid protection measures, to commit to reviewing its existing advice on whether FFP2 face masks should be provided to all SNAs. At present, the official advice does not include such a requirement, though the Chief Medical Officer has told the health minister that FFP2 masks are effective, and that individuals may prefer to use this grade of mask.

72-hours obligation

Fórsa’s Education Division Executive Committee met last week (12^th January) and decided that, because of the current situation in schools, and in light of prevailing official public health advice, it is not appropriate for SNAs to remain on school premises for the sole purpose of carrying out work associated with the 72-hour contractual obligation.

While SNAs remain obliged to be available to carry out SEN-related work within the band of 72 hours, there is no reason why such work can’t be done remotely, in accordance with public health advice.

That’s why the committee has issued the direction that SNAs who are Fórsa members should remain available to carryout work in accordance with the 72-hour obligation, but to do so on the basis of remote working only.

The education department and school management bodies have been informed of this directive, which will remain in place until there is an easing of the current official public health advice to work remotely wherever possible.

Andy Pike
Head of Education
17.01.2022