To ask the Minister of Education, further to her authorisation for educational school trips, whether her Department provides any funding for COVID-19 testing as per travel guidelines.

Following the decision that educational visits outside of Northern Ireland were permitted to resume from 18 October 2021, my Department’s guidance for schools was updated. It states that schools should consult the relevant travel advice from the Executive before booking and travelling to ensure that all relevant requirements for travel are adhered to, including any requirements put in place by authorities in the destination country.

Schools are also advised to seek advice from their travel provider and/or insurers to ensure there is adequate financial protection in place for the trip. The guidance also that states that my Department will not be able to underwrite the costs of any trips, including, but not limited to, additional costs resulting from the impact of COVID-19. As a result, there is no funding available from my Department to cover the costs of COVID-19 tests for such educational visits.