AQW 22115/17-22 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health why the advice presented on the NI Direct and Department of Education web sites diverges from the guidance given to schools concerning Contact Tracing deriving from the Public Health Agency; and how consistent this is with the advice on testing, tracing and isolating concerning children of school age from the Department of Health.
Asked by Paula Bradshaw MLA on 9 September 2021
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Priority
- Tabled
- 9 September 2021
- Answer due by
- 17 September 2021
- Answered
- 7 October 202128 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- Yes
Answer
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is the responsible body for contact tracing in schools. The guidance provided by the PHA is therefore the primary source of information for operational detail regarding contact tracing in schools.
The Department of Education has advised that it has updated its Guidance to Schools and Educational Settings to ensure alignment with PHA processes.
The advice on NI Direct has also been updated to ensure alignment with PHA processes.