Ms Áine Lynch:

Although we are also aware of schools that do not have warm water for children to wash their hands and we want all schools to have that facility, we would not want that to prevent schools from reopening. The health guidance has addressed that specific issue in terms of making sure there is hand sanitiser available and stipulating the type of soap that is used if there is not hot water to ensure handwashing is still effective and a lather is achieved. The health advice has addressed that issue and while we think all schools should have warm water, we would not want that to prevent schools from opening.