Teachers unions have slammed what they've called the Government's 'failure' to protect teachers in early pregnancy from Covid.
Currently women who are in the first fourteen weeks of pregnancy are not eligible for a vaccine, but they're being sent to work in schools regardless.
'We condemn the failure of the Minister for Education and the Department to provide alternative time-bound working arrangements for teachers who have been ineligible to receive vaccines. To cause a group of pregnant workers to endure weeks of anxiety and fear is unconscionable.'
— Teachers' Union Ire. (@TUIunion) August 25, 2021
The ASTI, INTO and TUI have joined their voices today, saying they find it 'incredible' that vulnerable staff members are expected to go into schools to teach.
Joint statement: Teacher unions condemn failure to protect staff in early pregnancy: https://t.co/STZsHjvwT6@TUIunion @INTOnews pic.twitter.com/fgIy7gTUcy
— ASTI (@astiunion) August 25, 2021
They've called on Minister Norma Foley to change this.
They've asked for 'swift action' to allow these staff members to work remotely, like they did before the summer.
However the Education Minister has insisted, the current advice is based on an expert review and anyone with a particular concern can take leave.
ASTI President Eamon Dennehy says that's totally unfair, because these teachers aren't actually sick, but he says this situation is terrifying to them.
Some children are already back in school after the summer, with many more due back in the coming days or next week.
