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UNIONS HAVE EXPRESSED concerns about pregnant teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) returning to school later this month prior to them being fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Some pregnant teachers and SNAs are considering taking unpaid sick leave from work until they are fully vaccinated against the virus.
In Ireland, pregnant people can’t register to get the Covid-19 vaccine until they are at least 14 weeks’ pregnant.
The HSE recommends waiting until this time as a precaution “to avoid any possible association with a miscarriage”.
“Some women may get their vaccine without knowing that they are pregnant. If you become pregnant following the first dose, wait until 14 weeks or after to get the second dose,” the HSE guidance notes.
Pregnant people do not typically take part in vaccine trials so there is currently a lack of data on the side effects among this group. However, the HSE has stated: “There is no evidence that any Covid-19 vaccine will harm your baby.”
One pregnant teacher who is due to return to work in a primary school in the coming weeks said she “cannot sleep at night” with worry.
“I am constantly stressed and anxious about the return to school. I am due to get my vaccine in two weeks time which means I will not be fully vaccinated before school reopens,” Áine* told The Journal.
“I am going into a classroom with 30-plus senior infant students. These students are unvaccinated and have no comprehension of social distancing, which is also not a requirement in the younger classes.
“There are children with severe needs in my class and I have no option but to be in contact with these students.”
Áine noted that her partner, who is fully vaccinated, cannot attend hospital appointments with her “because they are saying that pregnant women are extremely vulnerable”.
“However, it appears that I am safe in a classroom full of unvaccinated students who cannot socially distance or wear masks.”
Áine said she is very concerned about the recent rise in daily Covid-19 cases and the ongoing impact of the Delta variant. She also noted that keeping classrooms well ventilated will be more difficult in the colder winter months as windows will often need to be closed.
I cannot cope with the constant stress, anxiety and worry of school reopening. After being in school for the entire year last year, I can attest to how unsafe it is. I am at the end of my tether and have no options left.
“After a summer of not being able to meet loved ones to tell them my good news for the sake of staying safe and following government advice, I am being forced into an unsafe situation in my workplace.
“I am simply trying to protect my own health and the health of my unborn baby. I am being denied this right. It is terrifying in what already is a very stressful time,” she stated.
‘High-risk pregnancies’
A recent circular from the Department of Education states the following: “All pregnant employees up to 14 weeks gestation should attend the workplace unless they are categorised as ‘Very High Risk’.
“For a non-Covid-19 related high-risk pregnancy, where you are medically unfit for work, the terms and conditions of the Sick Leave Scheme will apply.”
Áine said this stance doesn’t take a person’s vaccine status into consideration and contradicts a circular released in June which stated that all high-risk and pregnant teachers should work from home.
A spokesperson for the department said they “engaged with all education partners, including trade unions” when drafting the updated circular.
They told The Journal that the HSE guidance for the education sector confirms that pregnant employees “can safely attend the workplace in school where all the infection prevention and control measures are in place by implementation of the School Covid-19 Response Plan”.
“This is the case whether or not the pregnant employee has been vaccinated. However, all pregnant employees should apply to the Occupational Health Service before the end of their first trimester, so that their individual medical circumstances can be assessed in the context of Covid-19.
“Those with underlying medical conditions may be categorised as very high risk and be facilitated to work remotely i.e. work from home. For pregnant teachers and special needs assistants working in special education settings, they may in certain circumstances be exposed to a higher risk of contracting Covid-19 and may be facilitated to work outside of the special education classroom.”
The spokesperson added that the evidence available “shows that schools are low-risk environments, due to the infection prevention and control measures in place”.
‘Strong representations’
A number of unions representing teachers and SNAs told The Journal that concerns similar to those raised by Áine have been flagged by their members.
A spokesperson for the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) said the union has “expressed concerns to the Department of Education regarding the arrangements for certain staff members who have not been given the opportunity to register for vaccination.
“This includes those in early pregnancy and those who are immunosuppressed. This has understandably caused anxiety for some of our members.”
The spokesperson said the union has urged the departments of education and health to “highlight the public health advice which has informed the recent circular “in order to provide reassurance to teachers who have not yet had the opportunity to register for vaccination”.
“We are advising any pregnant member who has specific concerns to contact their GP/doctor and to follow their advice,” they added.
A spokesperson for the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) said the organisation “has a particular concern over the return to workplaces of those teachers for whom the timing of their pregnancy precludes them from being vaccinated, as they have been advised that they should not receive a vaccine until they are at least 14 weeks pregnant”.
“We have made strong representations to the Department in relation to this issue and will continue to do so.”
A number of teachers have also raised concerns with the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI).
A union spokesperson said: “We have repeatedly raised these very real concerns with the Department of Education. The ASTI is conscious that, in the context of the prevalence of the Delta variant and the incomplete roll out of the vaccination programme, many pregnant teachers are concerned.”
Special education settings
The department’s circular states the following about pregnant staff members who work in a special education setting:
“In a special education class in a mainstream school, your employer will re-assign you to an alternative role within the school. An existing employee within the school will then be re-assigned to the special education class.
“In a special education setting in a special education school, the employer will re-assign you to an appropriate role outside of this special education setting (classroom). An existing employee within the school will then be re-assigned to the special education class. Where this re-assignment is not possible, the employer must facilitate alternative working arrangements for you during this period i.e. work from home.”
A spokesperson for Fórsa trade union, which represents thousands of SNAs across the country, said it is in “ongoing engagement” with the Department of Education on the matter.
In a statement sent to its members, Fórsa noted: “The advice for pregnant staff has changed and, based on new expert opinion, SNAs can attend work during the first 14 weeks if their pregnancy risk assessment allows – for example, if they do not have any serious underlying health conditions as defined by the HSE.
“The previous advice on pregnant SNAs working outside of special settings remains in place from 14 weeks. Therefore, after the 14th week of pregnancy pregnant SNAs cannot work in special schools, classes or units, and they should not be working in settings with three or more adults (as was the case during the last school year).
“Staff in those settings will be either re-assigned to mainstream classes or assigned to work remotely. A full pregnancy risk assessment must be carried out for all pregnant staff taking account of their individual circumstances.”
*Name changed at interviewee’s request
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Just the mention of a debate gives poor Enda nightmares. Go for it.
‘Reform Alliance’ Ironic in that they are the most conservative ‘party’ in the Dail.
It’s only hot air nothing will happen
Is this the start of a New Political Party…I think we will have to watch this space…the time maybe right.
Mmm, yes. The time for a right wing, reactionary, religious fundamentalist party. Just what Ireland needs at the moment.
Fiona, in any political party you have various different views but they are all whipped together for party reasons,,imagine if we had a political party that was open and honest and let each member express their own views while still representing the general will of the people…..open and transparent with no hidden agendas or Spin . No FG, no FF just people representing people.
What you describe there are called independents Shane. We already have quite a few.
Why join a political party in the first place if you refuse to follow their policies? The whip system ensures that business is actually attended to, don’t like it then leave and run as an independent. These people want to have their cake and eat it too.
You want rampant gombeen politics, populism and nothing ever getting done and decided on because the individuals TDs are too terrified to defy their voter base? Than yeah, no whip system is good.
Could you imagine a government of independents? On second thoughs I’d rather not.
Our choices..FG they have done the nation proud so far…FF they did the nation proud in the past…SF I won’t even comment.We need to move away from the gombeen civil war politics that we have ,move people away from voting for political parties because their father and grandfather voted for. Ppl like Shane Ross and Stephen Donnelly are lost in a Dail the works the way it is…because they have no say even if they had the most wonderful idea in the world it’s just not going to happen!
Fianna Fail did the nation proud Shane? Well not in my lifetime. They’ve bankrupted the country three times since I was born and I’m not even fifty yet. I will never vote for Fianna Fail. Populist morons.
Reg…I think you missed the sarcasm in that …I wouldn’t quench one of them if they were on fire…and that’s being polite..
Good to hear Shane!
Economically for a free market but with a strong social conscious.
Not Creighton,any one but Creighton
The national doctors strike not that important to the Reform group so!!!…..
Lucinda must be delighted that her husband has a good chance of keeping his job after the next election. Not sure about her chances though!
The wicked witch isn’t gone
U better find your ruby slippers Kenny
PDs 2, no thanks
Can we have a Debate about Abortion while were at it ?
That and the gay rights! It’s amazing how they keep ignoring the questions we’ve been asking for decades!
Won’t be long before they REFORM back into FG
Not for most of them now. They’ve burnt their bridges I think.
New political grouping, Shiite, anything to protect the Blueshirts.
Reform alliance , how about reject alliance . Nobody cares what ye want or say.
Ffs… Didn’t we just spend enough time on this with a referendum. Move on people. There’s plenty of other crap in this country that needs attention….
Politicians really get my goat!
No to an entirely directly elected Seanád. If you do the same former GAA stars, FF rejects and the ilk will be put in. It should be a series of panels such as education, nominated and elected by Teaching Council, NCCA etc… Business Leaders voted in by IBEC, that small businesses thing, Arts and culture panel etc… this would take time to tease out, but would better lend it self to our upper house.
No to any more representation of the teaching profession. It’s enough our mini-cabinet is 75% defunct teacher.
I’d disagree with the idea of giving anyone a vote on the basis of their associations or what they work as. I also think it’s a cryin’ shame that in this day and age we still have to debate whether or not one man – one vote is the right system.
I would say a directly elected house, with longer terms, but smaller overall size. The yanks do this with their senate on the basis that it lends itself to less of a partisan fight and a more of a thoughtful debate. That’s the way a second house should be.
(Or maybe even make it a house composed solely of independents? They are pretty much useless in the dáil as it stands, and it’d be a good balance to party politics, unless I’m missing the stupid part of the idea!)
Reform ? Membership of a political party should exempt Seanad membership. That’s a good start. If that’s too far reaching – then membership of Dail for 3 previous administrations.
We need Dail reform and accountability at many levels including politicians and CS.
Seanad has no power – either before or after the vote. I voted to get rid as it had little impact.
Time to dissolve Dail & Seanad and start again.
I’d give Lucinda one :) I’m no snob !
Hey Loose-Cinders, back a horse that might win and forget about the current no. 1 hit single “we want reform of the Seanad” as it will be gone by next month and some other populist folly with be ‘idea du jour’
If we got this, power of recall to both houses and the ability to call in referenda with 75,000 signatures whenever we like, we’d have (dare I say it?) a pretty good system on our hands.
have your say