Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I, too, welcome all our guests to the meeting. I know how difficult it has been for everybody trying to get children back to school and unions all working together.

My first question is for the INTO. I am aware that an agreement was reached to appoint three primary teachers for 12 schools in towns. My question relates to rural schools. My daughter is a school principal in Myshall. Rural schools have not been put on what is called a supply panel. How was the decision made to apply the panels to towns, that is, how is that 12 schools in towns were allocated three teachers whereas rural schools were not put on a panel? Will the colleges of further education make their final-year students available? Is the lack of teachers a problem?

Have the unions' members been asked to prepare online lesson plans in case schools or classes have to be sent home or because something else happens due to Covid-19? Is a distance learning strategy in place? Is there a programme for all primary and secondary schools? I had many other questions to ask but, unfortunately, my time is almost up.