Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand that and I am not expecting Mr. Ó Foghlú to give me an exact figure. Given the timeline our Acting Chairman asked Mr. Ó Foghlú about, I think he should know. I am not being personally critical. It is a fact that large schools are going to need a lot more extra staff and there is going to be a very short time in which to get them. Garda clearance is a huge issue in this as well. For staff who are not teaching, some of them may have Garda clearance already but other people who will be needed will not, so this is a huge issue. I am not suggesting the Department is not addressing it but we need to know more facts about it.

The other point I wish to put to Mr. Ó Foghlú is about school transport and PPE, particularly for children. Who will pay for that? I presume the Department will do so. An important point is that an adult will have to accompany the bus driver on the bus, who will have the capacity to control, in a general sense, the issues that might arise. Has Mr. Ó Foghlú thought about that?