To ask the Minister of Education (i) whether he will advocate for childcare and early years providers, including childminders, as a priority group for the COVID-19 vaccinations programmes; and (ii) how he is supporting these providers to make their facilities safe using appropriate personal protective equipment and other measures.

As you can appreciate the prioritisation of the rollout of the vaccine is carried out at a UK level by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Northern Ireland, along with the other Devolved Administrations, will adhere to the JCVI advice on prioritisation of the vaccine.

JCVI have advised that “the first priorities for any COVID-19 vaccination programme should be the prevention of COVID-19 mortality and the protection of health and social care staff and systems. Secondary priorities could include vaccination of those at increased risk of hospitalisation and at increased risk of exposure, and to maintain resilience in essential public services.”

Phase 1 of the programme will therefore offer vaccination to care home residents and staff, frontline health and social care workers, and those 80 years of age and over.

JVCI indicated on 6 January that they are considering under the next priority phase of vaccinations, those at increased risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 due to their occupation and this would include teachers.

Prior to this I had written to the Health Minister in December to request that teachers, school staff and childcare workers are prioritised for vaccination as soon as is practicable and I have submitted a paper to The Executive seeking priority in general for childcare/education staff/ teachers.

Guidance for Schools and Educational settings is available and is constantly under review. It will be updated as needed as my officials continue to liaise with Public Health colleagues to ensure the most current, best practice advice is disseminated to all schools. I announced additional measures before Christmas which included face coverings for all post primary pupils in classrooms, improved signage at school gates and further messaging around face coverings on school transport.

EA Procurement have put in place a number of contractual arrangements for the provision of PPE and COVID-19 related requisites. Schools have been advised that they should contact the EA for any requirements they may have.